Virtual Issues

Emerging Sexual and Reproductive Health in Australia and New Zealand: Gaps, Challenges and Solutions

We are pleased to present this virtual issue on emerging topics in sexual and reproductive health in Australia and New Zealand. This collection of research articles underscores the pressing significance of addressing sexual and reproductive health matters, inviting an in-depth examination of challenges, solutions, and innovative approaches.

Our decision to curate this collection stems from the recognition that advancing sexual and reproductive health directly correlates with the overall well-being of individuals and communities. We aim to highlight the diverse landscape of sexual and reproductive health topics in Australia and New Zealand, shedding light on disparities, gaps in knowledge, and clinical perspectives that can inform future practice. This issue fosters an essential dialogue on health equity, access, and inclusivity, particularly through our examination of priority populations for sexual and reproductive health.

As editors, we aspire for Sexual Health to be a journal that encourages informed discussions, evidence-based methodologies, and progressive viewpoints. This virtual issue represents our commitment to fostering knowledge that empowers, enriches, and elevates the conversation around sexual and reproductive health in Australia and New Zealand. We invite readers to engage with this compilation, which we believe will help facilitate a move towards a future marked by comprehensive, compassionate, and equitable sexual and reproductive healthcare for all.

Associate Editors,

Tiffany Phillips, Eric Chow and Jacqueline Coombe

STIs in MSM - long and the short of it

There is a relatively new challenge facing Sexual Health around the world; an explosion of sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) in gay and other men who have sex with men (MSM). This began about 20 years ago as highly effective treatment for HIV moved it from a universally fatal condition to a chronic manageable condition. And early data suggest rates will rise further as HIV treatments make transmission virtually impossible and pre exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) provides HIV-negative MSM with very high levels of protection against HIV.

This virtual issue highlights some of the key papers published over the last few years that seek to understand the reasons for the rises in STIs. But the virtual issue also highlights some important long-term consequences of one relatively silent STI; Human papillomavirus (HPV). MSM, and particularly those with HIV, are particularly susceptible to HPV infection and are at much higher risk of HPV-related malignancies.

This virtual issue includes papers on rising rates of specific STIs in MSM, possible explanations for the rises, ways to improve surveillance and ways to prevent STIs. It also highlights a number of key papers relating to HPV- associated malignancies and potential approaches to reducing these. Fortunately for young MSM, at least Australia’s national childhood HPV vaccination program will prevent virtually all HPV-related malignancies.