§ Caroline FlintTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are his plans to increase the efficacy of HIV/AIDS educational initiatives to young people. [20717]
§ Ms JowellThe Department of Health has a contract with the Health Education Authority to undertake HIV/AIDS health promotion work for the general population. Most of these initiatives are currently aimed at 16 to 24–year-olds and provide information about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases and how to avoid them. The Government are committed to ensuring that such work is effective, evidence-based and properly evaluated through the use of research and pre-testing.
Ministers have recently announced the establishment of a Task Group which will look at Sex and Relationships Education. It will support the continued development of sex and relationships education in schools and youth settings. The Department for Education and Employment will be fully involved.