The Up Close Program promotes awareness of sexual health as a core component of overall health and well-being by engaging with diverse community partners to identify resources and opportunities to create and enhance sexual health programming in the City and County of Denver.
Sexuality is part of a normal, healthy life.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality. It involves more than the absence of disease or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, fear, discrimination, stigma, shame, and violence.
Comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health
Comprehensive sexual and reproductive health encompasses a broad range of services that allow people to choose whether and when to be sexually active; have safe and pleasurable sexual experiences, decide whether, when, and how often to have children, and experience safe pregnancy and delivery.
Comprehensive sexual and reproductive health includes:
- Access to comprehensive sexual health education
- Information, counseling, and care related to sexual function and satisfaction
- A choice of safe and effective contraceptive methods
- Safe and effective prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal care
- Safe and effective abortion and post-abortion care
- Prevention, detection, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/HIV
- Prevention, detection, and treatment of reproductive cancers
Access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, positive social and cultural norms and socioeconomic equity are essential for individuals to make informed decisions about their bodies, healthy relationships, responsible sexual activity, and reproductive health throughout their lifespan.