A Commentary on the Latest Sexual Health Statistics For Leeds

Sexual health is about more than just the absence of disease. It means people have the freedom to express their sexuality, make informed choices, and enjoy sexual experiences.

Good sexual health includes infection prevention, testing, and treatment, as well as access to contraception, reproductive healthcare, and psychological support.

The Importance of Good Sexual Health

Good sexual health is important for all, not just those who are currently sexually active. This is because sexual health has implications for the population as a whole. For example, sexual health can impact babies as certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or at birth.

Improving sexual health is both a global and local priority. When a population is sexually healthy, the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies lowers, reducing the burden on health services and wider society.

Sexual health impacts an individual’s life beyond just their immediate physical health. It can also have long-term repercussions. For example, untreated STIs can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women, which can impact future health and fertility.

Sexual and contraceptive health can also affect a person’s relationships, mental health, emotional wellbeing, work, education, and finances.

Sexual Health Statistics - STIs in Yorkshire and Humber

When looking for the latest sexual health Leeds statistics, we need to look at wider data available for Yorkshire and Humber. The latest government data from the 2023-2024 period shines a spotlight on sexually transmitted infections in the region.

It shows that:

●      Yorkshire and Humber had the fourth-highest rate of new STIs in England.

●      In 2024, 28,273 new STIs were diagnosed in Yorkshire and Humber.

●      The rate for new STIs in Leeds was 692 diagnoses per 100,000 people.

While these figures show that sexually transmitted infections are a significant issue in Leeds, it’s worth noting that the overall number of new cases has decreased when compared to earlier data.

The latest data also shows that STIs disproportionately affect young people. Residents aged between 15 and 24 years accounted for almost half of all new STI diagnoses in 2024.

The majority of new cases of sexually transmitted infections were among UK-born (86%) white (79.7%) residents.

STI rates also showed a strong correlation with deprivation, with those living in deprived areas more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with a new STI than those living in the least deprived areas of Yorkshire and Humber.

Leeds: the Demographics Behind the Data

When talking about sexual health statistics, it’s important to understand the demographics behind the data and the specific sexual health needs of Leeds.

So, what are the possible reasons for the higher rates of STIs in Yorkshire and Humber, and in particular, in Leeds?

Young Population

The population of Leeds is made up of more young people, and women of child-bearing age than many other cities. This means that good sexual health will always be a challenge - and a priority - for the city.

Teenage Pregnancy

While rates of teenage pregnancy have gradually declined nationally and locally, a recent spike in the number of teen pregnancies has highlighted the complexity of this issue. In Leeds, rates of teenage conception remain disproportionately high in deprived areas of the city.

Deprivation and Health Inequality

Leeds has areas of high deprivation and areas of affluence. This means that some of the city’s population have worse sexual health outcomes than others. Deprivation and poverty are closely linked to poor sexual health, and other inequalities, such as poor mental health, lack of education, and cultural or language barriers, can exacerbate this further.

Population in Flux

Leeds has five universities, and is one of the top student cities in the UK. This contributes to the overall number of young, sexually-active people in the city, and creates a population in flux, with vast numbers of students moving in and out of the city throughout the academic year.

Students diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection while living in Leeds may have contracted it elsewhere, and vice versa, making it difficult to get a true and accurate picture. However, we do know that university cities typically report higher incidences of STIs.

Sexual Health Initiatives in Leeds

Several initiatives are already in place to improve sexual health in Leeds.

●      Leeds is a designated Fast Track City, aiming for zero new HIV transmissions by 2030.

●      Leeds Sexual Health Service offers advice, support, treatment, and education, including emergency contraception, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Chemsex support.

●      The provision of Young People's Services, including dedicated under-18s walk-in clinics, and Well Wave - a sexual wellbeing service aimed at Leeds residents aged between 13 and 24.

Sexual Health Screening and Treatment in Leeds

Good sexual health is vital for physical and mental wellbeing. Here at The Whitehall Clinic, we offer STI screening at our central Leeds clinic, just five-minutes walk from the train station.

Our private blood tests include panels for common sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea. We also offer comprehensive STI screening for full peace of mind.

If you’re concerned about your sexual health, our fast and discreet screening can provide the answers you need. Book online or get in touch for more information about our private health screening services in Leeds.