National Sexual Health Strategy Ireland 2025–2035: A Sustainable Development Goals-Focused Report

Introduction

Ireland has launched a comprehensive National Sexual Health Strategy for 2025–2035, aimed at transforming access to sexual health services with a strong emphasis on prevention, equity, and healthcare integration. This initiative aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Strategy Overview and SDG Alignment

The strategy was unveiled by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. It addresses rising sexually transmitted infections (STIs), stigma, and unequal access to care, reinforcing Ireland’s commitment to inclusive health services.

Core Goals

1. Promoting comprehensive sexual health education (SDG 4: Quality Education)
2. Expanding equitable access to sexual health services (SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities)
3. Supporting reproductive choice (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being; SDG 5: Gender Equality)
4. Strengthening surveillance and research (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals)

Access to Services and Integration

The strategy builds on the 2015–2020 plan and introduces immediate implementation steps for 2025–2028. Key measures include:

• Expansion of the Free Contraception Scheme to improve reproductive health access.
• Increased availability of STI testing, including home testing kits, enhancing early detection and prevention.
• Enhanced support for HIV prevention and treatment, including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
• Development of a new Model of Care focusing on geographic equity and integration into primary healthcare, promoting universal health coverage (SDG 3.8).

Empowering Healthcare Providers

The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) highlights the critical role of community pharmacies in delivering sexual health services, supporting SDG 3 and SDG 10 by improving healthcare accessibility. Pharmacists currently provide:

• Emergency contraception without prescription.
• Dispensing free contraception to women aged 17–35 under the HSE-funded scheme.
• Confidential consultations on STI prevention and treatment.
• Dispensing PrEP to eligible individuals and administering HPV vaccines privately.

The strategy proposes empowering pharmacists to initiate and extend contraception prescriptions and dispense PEP, particularly benefiting rural and out-of-hours settings, thereby advancing SDG 3 and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Supporting Justice Sector and Addressing Violence

The strategy commits to supporting the Justice sector and organizations like Cuan in preventing domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV), aligning with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). It also ensures compliance with Ireland’s international obligations under EU, UN, and WHO frameworks.

European Context and Ireland’s Role

Rising STI rates across Europe present a significant public health challenge. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports increases in gonorrhoea, syphilis, and chlamydia across nearly all EU/EEA countries, with varied national responses.

• Nordic countries lead with real-time surveillance systems (SDG 17).
• Northern and Western Europe have comprehensive sexual education and public health campaigns (SDG 4 and SDG 3).
• Southern and Eastern Europe face cultural and financial barriers limiting access to prevention and treatment services (SDG 10).
• Access to HIV prevention tools like PrEP varies widely across Europe.
• Antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhoea is an emerging threat, necessitating harmonized policies.

Ireland’s strategy aligns with EU priorities by emphasizing integrated care, expanded access, and data-driven policy, reinforcing SDG 3 and SDG 17 through cross-sectoral collaboration and public engagement. Future action plans are scheduled for 2028 and 2031.

Expert Perspectives

Professor Mary Horgan, Ireland’s Interim Chief Medical Officer, emphasized the urgency of coordinated action, stating:

“Sexual health is a key part of overall health and wellbeing, but also of wider public health and of infection control.”

Conclusion

With the National Sexual Health Strategy 2025–2035, Ireland positions itself at the forefront of a renewed European effort to address sexual health inclusively and sustainably, contributing significantly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on improving sexual health services, preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and promoting overall health and well-being.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The strategy addresses issues related to sexual and gender-based violence and promotes equity regardless of gender or orientation.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • There is an emphasis on equitable access to sexual health services across different geographic and demographic groups.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Promotion of sexual health education is one of the core goals of the strategy.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The strategy includes commitments to support the justice sector in preventing domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.3: End the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
   • Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including family planning, information and education.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including health education.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Incidence rates of sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia) – implied by the article’s focus on rising STI rates and surveillance.
   • Coverage of HIV prevention and treatment services, including PrEP and PEP uptake.
   • Access to contraception and family planning services, such as the Free Contraception Scheme.
   • Surveillance and reporting systems for STIs and antimicrobial resistance.
2. SDG 5 Indicators
   • Prevalence of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV) – implied by the strategy’s commitment to support justice sector efforts.
3. SDG 10 Indicators
   • Equity in access to sexual health services across geographic and demographic groups.
4. SDG 4 Indicators
   • Coverage and quality of sexual health education programs.
5. SDG 16 Indicators
   • Rates of violence and effectiveness of prevention programs in the justice sector.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: euractiv.com