Negative attitudes towards older people’s sexual activities and limited awareness of available healthcare are associated with increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections, a report has found.
The report from the University of Chichester – in collaboration with other organisations – found that an inability for society to talk about the sexual health needs of over-45s has led to a generation unaware of the dangers of unprotected sex.
Over-45s living in disadvantaged areas are at particular risk, with little awareness of or access to available healthcare services.
Dr Ian Tyndall from the University of Chichester said: ‘Given improvements in life expectancy, sexual healthcare needs to improve its intervention for older adults and vulnerable groups to provide a more utilised, knowledgeable, compassionate and effective service.’
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