Data from the UK'a Health Protection Agency (HPA) indicates a worrying increase in sexually transmitted infections with sexual health clinics reporting a record number of 482,700 cases in 2009, which is an increase of around 12,000 on the previous year.
Two thirds of the STI cases were in females aged 15-24. These figures highlight the vulnerability of young women, said Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of the STI section of the HPA.
Experts believe the figures show the need for more and better sex education for the young. Natika Halil from the FPA charity reiterated the view: "The message from this data to the new government is that they mustn't be tempted to cut services and campaigns in sexual health, and ignore the urgent need for statutory sex and relationships education in schools."
Read the full report in the Guardian.
