To have the first themed issue for Sexually Transmitted Infections as adolescent sexual health is fortuitous. The United Kingdom has the unenviable position of being top of the league tables for teenage pregnancy in western Europe with 9 in 1000 girls aged 13–15 and 63 in 1000 girls aged 16–19 becoming pregnant.¹ Although there has been a resurgence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed across all age groups tested in genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics,² the greatest rise in prevalence rates has been seen with chlamydial and gonococcal infections in young men and women, especially teenagers.

Concern about sexual health of adolescents is not confined to the United Kingdom. As can be seen from the published papers in this issue of the journal, the problem is global. The majority of young people live in developing countries where the burden of STIs and HIV is greatest.³ Unicef has emphasised the importance of preventative strategies targeting young people if the HIV epidemic is to be stemmed.⁴ European countries that have been more successful in reducing teenage pregnancy and STI prevalence rates than the United Kingdom have over the past 10 years seen a resurgence of these.⁵ Even in Sweden, which has previously had low prevalence rates of STIs and teenage pregnancy, an …