Contraceptive Awareness Week 2003

EDM number 691 in 2002-03, proposed by Liam Fox on 06/02/2003.

That this House notes the importance of Contraceptive Awareness Week from 10th to 16th February and praises the Family Planning Association for raising awareness of this important issue and sponsoring this noteworthy campaign; wholeheartedly supports FPA's campaign which this year highlights research which shows the lengths people often have to go to get advice on contraception and sexual health; regrets that over a third of people calling FPA's helpline have had difficulty obtaining local advice and information on contraception and sexual health; further regrets that between 1991 and 2001, new episodes of sexually transmitted infections seen at GUM clinics in England, Wales and Northern Ireland rose from 669,291 to 1,332,910 and moreover, between 2000 and 2001, new episodes seen at GUM clinics in England, Wales and Northern Ireland rose from 1,195,641 to 1,332,910; is highly concerned that the burden of STI's falls unequally in the population with young heterosexuals, men who have sex with men and minority ethnic groups being at increased risk; is further concerned that overall in the UK approximately 41,200 people are living with HIV about 31 per cent. of whom are undiagnosed, and that currently the number of people living with diagnosed HIV is rising each year; hopes that through this week awareness of contraception and its availability is raised as sexual health is often marginalised as a lifestyle or personal issue when such issues should be put at the heart of the broader public health agenda.

This motion has been signed by a total of 46 MPs.