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Sexual health and sexual activity in later life

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 March 2015

Paul Nash ,
Paul Willis ,
Andrea Tales  and
Thomas Cryer
Paul Nash*
Affiliation:
Centre for Innovative Ageing, Swansea University, Wales, UK
Paul Willis
Affiliation:
Centre for Innovative Ageing, Swansea University, Wales, UK
Andrea Tales
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Wales, UK
Thomas Cryer
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Wales, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Paul Nash, Centre for Innovative Ageing, Swansea University, Singleton Park, SwanseaSA2 8PP. Email: [email protected]
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Summary

The population is ageing and the rights, welfare and wellbeing of this age cohort are becoming more globally prominent and the focus of much policy development. Whilst research is leading the way and informing this in many spheres of an older person's life, this is not the case for sexual health. Campaigns of sexual health literacy and intervention are targeted at ‘at-risk’ cohorts, largely ignoring those over 60 years of age. With increases in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in this age group and the potentially serious nature of untreated conditions, this review highlights the need for increased research, health literacy and targeted interventions. Social, societal and physical barriers preventing older adults engaging with safer sex have been identified, highlighting the extent of the attitudinal and policy shifts required to provide age parity.

Keywords

gerontologysexual healthsexualitysexually transmitted infectionsdiscrimination
Type
Review Article
Information
Reviews in Clinical Gerontology , Volume 25 , Issue 1 , February 2015 , pp. 22 - 30
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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