Call for improvement in sexual health statistics

Call for improvement in sexual health statistics

There’s much room for improvement in New Zealand’s sexual and reproductive health statistics, Family Planning chief executive Jackie Edmond says.

Speaking to delegates at the opening of Family Planning Conference 2013, Ms Edmond says unplanned pregnancy rates, high rates of sexually transmissible infections, inconsistent provision of comprehensive sexuality education and outdated abortion legislation are all issues which must be addressed.

“We are privileged to have access to heavily subsidised, or in many cases free, sexual and reproductive health services for most New Zealanders,” Ms Edmond says.

But, services need to be at the right place, at the right time and focussed on people with the highest needs. They also need appropriate information to allow them to make good decisions for themselves.

Ms Edmond told the 270 delegates at the conference that the purpose of the two and a half day event is to open their minds to new ideas and to hear from international experts and New Zealand-based practitioners and researchers.

Family Planning Conference is being held at Te Papa, Wellington from Thursday 31 October to Saturday 2 November 2013.
Read the full conference programme
http://www.familyplanning.org.nz/conference/programme

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