Six leading sexual health and HIV organisations have launched SHout loud (Sexual Health out loud), a website which enables the general public, community groups and campaigners to have their say about sexual health, contraception and HIV services in England.

The new site is a joint initiative by the AHPN (African HIV Policy Network), Brook, The Family Planning Association, MedFASH (Medical Foundation for AIDS and Sexual Health ), NAT (National AIDS Trust) and THT (Terrence Higgins
Trust).

Visitors type in their postcode to receive local data about sexual health in Brighton, find out if sexual health is a priority in their area and can use the site to take action by contacting key decision-makers.

Everyone who is interested in sexual health will be encouraged to get involved
from young people, to those living with or affected by HIV to anyone who feels
it's an issue worth shouting about.

Teenage pregnancy rates are high across particular areas in England, one in 12
young people has chlamydia and more people are living with HIV than ever before.
Individuals and community groups will be encouraged to get in touch with their
MP, PCT (Primary Care Trust) and local authority to demonstrate that these
issues matter to them and to try and ensure that sexual health, HIV and
contraception services get the attention and funding they deserve.

Sue Peters, Regional Manager for THT in Brighton said:
"Some people are embarrassed to talk about sexual health, which often means that they don't express their views about local services to help them improve. The SHout loud website gives people the opportunity to show that sexual health issues
really matter to them and to campaign for support and investment. If you care
about the subject, sign up now and get your voice heard."

For more information view:
www.shoutloud.org.uk

For more information about THT view:
www.tht.org.uk