New push to tackle priorities in sexual and reproductive health

Leaders of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, are coordinating action to reverse the global trend of deteriorating levels of sexual and reproductive health and reduce the adverse impact on mothers, babies and young people.

Globally, inadequate sexual and reproductive health services have resulted in maternal deaths and rising numbers of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly in developing countries. WHO estimates that 340 million new cases of sexually transmitted bacterial infections, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea occur annually in people aged 15 - 49. Many are untreated because of lack of access to services. In addition, millions of cases of viral infection, including HIV, occur every year. The sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is closely associated with cervical cancer, which is diagnosed in more than 490 000 women and causes 240 000 deaths every year.

Around eight million women who become pregnant each year suffer life-threatening complications as a result of sexually transmitted infections and poor sexual health. Annually, an estimated 529 000 women, almost all in developing countries, die during pregnancy and childbirth from largely preventable causes.

"There is a really worrying rise in the number and severity of sexually transmitted infections," says Dr Anders Nordstro"m, Acting Director-General, WHO. "But the consequences of poor sexual and reproductive health go well beyond STIs. They lead directly to completely preventable illness and death. It is unacceptable today for a woman to die in childbirth, or for a person to become HIV positive for lack of information and resources."

Young people are particularly vulnerable. More than 100 million curable sexually transmitted infections occur each year and a significant proportion of the 4.1 million new HIV infections occur among 15-to-24 year olds. In sexually active adolescents (aged 10-19 years), sexual and reproductive health problems include early pregnancy, unsafe abortion, STIs including HIV, and sexual coercion and violence.

"It is clear that the Millennium Development Goals 5 and 4 to reduce mother and child deaths by 2015 cannot be achieved without investing in sexual and reproductive health," says Ms Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA. "For example, averting unintended pregnancy and reducing unmet need for family planning are key interventions in improving maternal health and reducing perinatal death. Yet, in developing countries and those in transition, an estimated 200 million women lack access to family planning."

In addition, in some cultures, three million girls and young women are subjected each year to genital mutilation/cutting which, in recent studies by WHO, has been shown to significantly increase the risk of death and serious injury for newborn babies and their mothers around childbirth.

Following a high-level meeting on Friday, the leaders agreed the agencies will coordinate action in countries to ensure programmes are more effective and accountable for results.