Plans to cut sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies and reduce avoidable HIV deaths have been announced by Cornwall Council.

A new Sexual Health Strategy for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has been debated and unanimously approved by the council's cabinet, which aims to improve sexual health for all.

The strategy will run until 2021 with has six priorities: to reduce rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among people of all ages; to reduce unwanted pregnancies; to continue to reduce under-18 and under-16 conceptions; to reduce onward transmission of, and avoidable deaths from, HIV, to promote relationships, sexual health and sexuality as a core aspect of health and wellbeing, and to deliver financially sustainable models for sexual health care.

The council said the strategy stands to have the greatest impact on those experiencing health inequalities and vulnerabilities at all ages .

There has been continued progress reducing the teenage pregnancy rate in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, despite the loss of the teenage pregnancy grant from the government.

The latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics show a conception rate of 19.1 for every 1,000 women aged 15-17 in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in September 2015, this is below the national rate of 21.4 per 1,000 15-17 year old women and more than a 50 per cent reduction since the baseline was set in 1998.

Dr Caroline Court, acting director of public health for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, said: “We are happy that our ambitious strategy has the support of Cabinet members, and gives us a clear direction for our services for the next five years. Having good sexual health is a vital aspect of our health and wellbeing.

“The Sexual Health Strategy focuses on improving key priorities for Cornwall – including reducing rates of sexually transmitted infections, decreasing unwanted pregnancies and reducing onward transmissions of HIV. It is important that we keep providing effective, safe, and accessible services for our residents, from young people through to older adults”.

Councillor Andrew Wallis, lead member for children’s services, added: “Fantastic drive, commitment and collaboration and has helped us make significant improvement to the sexual health and wellbeing of people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly over the past few years. Information and education is key, to support people to make informed and healthy choices. In addition to this, it is vital we deliver services that are accessible and help people overcome barriers to look after their sexual health. This is particularly important for young people, especially teenagers, at a pivotal time in their lives. We also need to feel comfortable talking about sexual health, as part of our overall health and wellbeing, in order keep safe and well. Through this new strategy, we need to keep moving forward, we face many future challenges and in some instances geographical and cultural barriers remain.

“Now is the time to place emphasis on prevention and early detection and it is clear this work has made a difference, and with everyone’s support will continue to do so.”