What is the Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine?
The Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine is the specialised area of practice concerned with healthy sexual relations.
What has been achieved so far?
The Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine (AChSHM) is leading and contributing to a number of RACP policy and advocacy projects and the EVOLVE initiative.
AChSHM contributed to the RACP’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Care for Young People Position Statement, which was launched in late 2015. This year it will lead a project on Indigenous sexual health, in collaboration with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee.
RACP Position Statement – Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Position Statement outlines evidence and policy on ending HIV transmission and improving care and health outcomes for people living with HIV.
The number of people diagnosed with HIV in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand has decreased in the last decade through health and social sector advocacy and proactive government policies, including policies improving access to testing, treatment, and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Challenges remain in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, including late diagnosis, limited access to face-to-face sexual health services in regional, rural, and remote areas, access to HIV services by people born overseas, and stigma. There is also a need for services to be culturally safe and co-designed to meet the needs of communities.
Our position statement calls on governments and relevant agencies in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand to fully fund free universal access to HIV healthcare services; increase funding for the sexual health sector; fund and support implementation of innovative, evidence-informed, and equitable multidisciplinary models of care for HIV prevention and management; and expand education campaigns and policy and legislative protections to address HIV stigma and discrimination.
We are also calling for governments to fund a gap analysis and identify ways to improve HIV treatment and care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia and Māori and Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. Alongside this we are calling for increased funding for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO) in Australia and kaupapa Māori and Pacific-led models of care in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Read the statement (PDF)
Recent submissions, position statements and media
How can I contribute my expertise?
RACP Trainees and Physicians need to see Represent Your Profession or email policy@racp.edu.au or use the online contact form.
How do I contact AChSHM?
Email shmed@racp.edu.au or use the online contact form.
Where can I read more?
Read published RACP policies, position statements or submissions by searching the Policy and Advocacy Library or view the latest Policy Submissions.
The documents listed below have been removed from the website; however, they are available upon request.
- Principles of good sexual health care relating to the high incidence of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses (BBVs) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Care for Young People.