Critically Analyse an Identified Public Health Strategy or Campaign Free Essay Example, 3500 words

Quite strangely, Solihull is currently plagued with rates of sexually transmitted infections that are higher than the national average. A recent screening program that was undertaken in 20 locations for instance identified an infection rate of 10% amongst people under the age of 25 (Solihull NHS Care Trust, 2008, p. 19). Meanwhile, this population represents one of the healthiest and most productive groups. The third need identified could directly be linked as the cause of the second as there are insufficient sexual and reproductive public health centers. A typical scenario is the fact that there is no local Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic within the population. Even though there is a contraception service and sexual health service, these are not captured under the capacity in specialized contraception (CASH) and so there is no well matched geographic integration of the sexual and reproductive health needs within the population. Aims and Strategic Objectives of the Strategic Plan One of the most unique features of the Solihull Sexual Health Strategic Plan 2008 – 2013 is that the plan has clearly been defined along the lines of aims and objectives. We will write a custom essay sample on Critically Analyse an Identified Public Health Strategy or Campaign or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now It would be noted that aims are often generalized goals that broad in nature. To this end, they require specific and smaller tasks to aid in their achievement. It is in this sense that the need for specific objectives arises. As far as aims are concerned, the strategic plan is aimed at improving the sexual health of the Solihull population (Solihull NHS Care Trust, 2008, p. 13). The plan is also aimed at reducing the sexual health inequalities that exists between geographical or socially disadvantaged groups (Solihull NHS Care Trust, 2008, p. 13). Some of the specific objectives that are aimed at achieving the aims are paraphrased from the Solihull Sexual Health Strategic Plan 2008 – 2013 document as follows 1. Cut down on the occurrence of STIs 2. Reduce the transmission of HIV and STIs 3. Decrease incidences of unplanned preganacies, especially in people under the age of 18 4. Improve the health, support and care given to people living with HIV 5. Decrease incidence of stigma against people infected with HIV 6. Provide rapid access to safe, legal, high quality and equitable NHS funded termination of pregnancy services 7. Provide needed support to teenage mothers and their children 8. Increase the skill and training of personnel and workers delivering sexual and reproductive health services Rationale for the Strategic Plan Even though the sexual health and reproductive needs of Solihull has been mentioned as one of the prevalent in the whole of England, policy makers say the rates do not cause an alarming need for the present strategic plan as the existence of inequalities within the region as far as sexual and reproductive health are concerned.