Report on WHO’s Strategic Initiatives for STI Control in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new guidance and policy implementation data concerning sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These initiatives are strategically aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a significant emphasis on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

New WHO Guidelines to Accelerate Progress on SDG 3 Targets

The new evidence-based guidelines aim to strengthen global efforts in STI prevention and care, directly contributing to SDG Target 3.3, which calls for an end to the epidemics of communicable diseases by 2030. The guidance is designed to fortify prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Key Components of the New Guidance

• Guidelines for the management of asymptomatic STIs.
• Recommendations on the delivery of health services for STI prevention and care.

Targeted Interventions to Reduce Inequalities (SDG 10) and Promote Health for All

The recommendations prioritize vulnerable and key populations to ensure no one is left behind, a core principle of the SDGs.

1. Targeted Screening: The guidance calls for focused screening for gonorrhoea and chlamydia in high-prevalence settings, targeting specific groups to maximize impact.
   • Pregnant women
   • Adolescents and young people (10–24 years)
   • Sex workers
   • Men who have sex with men (MSM)
2. Risk-Aligned Screening Frequency: It is recommended that screening protocols align with individual risk, with at least annual or semi-annual screening for high-risk populations like sex workers and MSM.

Innovations in Service Delivery for Universal Access (SDG 3.7)

To advance universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, the guidelines propose several service delivery improvements.

• Decentralization and integration of STI services into primary healthcare.
• Task sharing with trained non-specialist providers and community health workers.
• Leveraging digital health tools to complement and enhance in-person care.

Global Policy Implementation Status: A Review of Progress Towards 2030 Targets

WHO data reveals a mixed landscape of progress and persistent challenges among member states in adopting and implementing policies crucial for achieving the SDGs.

Policy and Strategy Adoption

• National STI Strategy (SDG 3): 89% of reporting countries have a national STI strategy or action plan. However, only 43% have updated it since 2023, indicating a need for more current strategic alignment.
• Case Management Guidelines: While 97% of countries report having national guidelines, only 50% have revised them since 2020, potentially hindering the adoption of the latest evidence-based practices.

Progress on Specific Health Targets

• Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (SDG 3.3): Only 37% of countries conduct routine surveillance for gonococcal resistance, a critical gap in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.
• Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (SDG 3.3): National plans are in place in 72% of reporting countries. Furthermore, 95 countries have integrated dual HIV/syphilis rapid tests into national policy, a key tool for protecting mothers and children.
• HPV Vaccination for Cervical Cancer Prevention (SDG 3.4): As of July 2025, 147 Member States (76%) have included the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in their national immunization schedule, a vital step in reducing mortality from non-communicable diseases like cervical cancer.

These findings underscore the urgent need to accelerate the updating of national policies, expand surveillance, and close implementation gaps to ensure the provision of quality STI services and achieve the health-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on WHO’s new guidance for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) directly and indirectly addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus is on health, but the emphasis on equity, specific populations, and national policies connects to broader development goals.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This is the most central SDG to the article. The entire text is dedicated to strengthening the prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of STIs to reduce morbidity and mortality. It discusses new guidelines, policy implementation, and specific health interventions like vaccination and testing, all of which are core components of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article connects to SDG 5 by focusing on health issues that disproportionately affect women and girls. It highlights the importance of HPV vaccination for preventing cervical cancer, a major health issue for women. It also specifically mentions pregnant women as a key population for targeted screening and the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis, thereby addressing gender-specific health vulnerabilities.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article addresses the goal of reducing inequalities by explicitly focusing on vulnerable and key populations who often face barriers to healthcare. The new recommendations call for targeted screening for “pregnant women, adolescents and young people aged 10–24, sex workers and men who have sex with men (MSM).” By aiming to improve service delivery in “high-burden, resource-limited settings” and for marginalized groups, the guidance directly tackles health inequalities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Several specific SDG targets can be identified based on the actions, recommendations, and data presented in the article.

1. Target 3.3: End the epidemics of… communicable diseases

   The article is fundamentally about combating communicable diseases, specifically STIs like gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis. The release of new guidelines for prevention and care, along with the stated goal to “help countries move faster toward the 2030 goals,” directly aligns with the objective of ending the STI epidemic.

2. Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment

   This target is addressed through the focus on the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The article notes that the HPV vaccine is “critical to preventing cervical cancer,” which is a non-communicable disease. The data on the number of Member States including the HPV vaccine in their national immunization schedule is a direct measure of progress toward this prevention-focused target.

3. Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services

   The article’s content is a blueprint for achieving this target. It details recommendations for strengthening “STI prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment.” The focus on integrating STI services, developing national strategies, updating case management guidelines, and ensuring access for adolescents and key populations are all essential components of providing universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare.

4. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage

   The recommendations aim to improve healthcare delivery, particularly in “resource-limited settings.” Strategies like decentralizing services, task sharing with community health workers, and using digital tools are designed to expand access to “quality essential health-care services.” The promotion of affordable interventions like dual HIV/syphilis rapid tests and HPV vaccines contributes to achieving universal health coverage.

5. Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights

   This target is closely related to 3.7 but with a specific gender lens. The article supports this target by advocating for services crucial for women’s health, such as screening for pregnant women, plans to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of syphilis, and HPV vaccination to prevent cervical cancer.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to track progress on national and global levels.

• Policy and Strategy Indicators

  These indicators measure the existence and relevance of national frameworks needed to guide the health response.

  • Percentage of countries with a national STI strategy or action plan: The article states this is 89%.
  • Percentage of countries that have updated their national STI strategy since 2023: Reported as only 43%, indicating a gap in policy relevance.
  • Percentage of countries with national case management guidelines: Reported as 97%.
  • Percentage of countries that have revised their guidelines since 2020: Reported as “only half,” or 50%.
  • Percentage of countries with national plans to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis: Stated as 72% of reporting countries.

• Service Coverage and Intervention Indicators

  These indicators measure the adoption and implementation of specific health interventions.

  • Percentage of Member States that have included the HPV vaccine in their national immunization schedule: The article reports this as 76% (147 Member States).
  • Number of countries that have integrated dual HIV/syphilis rapid tests into national policy: Reported as 95 countries.
  • Frequency of STI screening for key populations: The recommendation for “at least annual or 6-monthly screening” for sex workers and MSM serves as a benchmark for service delivery.

• Surveillance Indicators

  This indicator measures the capacity to monitor disease trends and challenges.

  • Percentage of countries conducting routine gonococcal resistance surveillance: The article highlights a significant gap, with only 37% of countries doing so.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators
identified in the article.

Source: who.int