Teen health booklet answers the curly questions

Sexual health is just one of the topics covered in a frank new booklet for teenagers.

Straight Answers To Curly Questions, produced by the Pharmacy Guild, has just been launched by Youth Affairs Minister Laila Harre.

The free booklet offers teenagers practical, non-judgmental advice about their everyday health and wellbeing.

Part of a series of resources produced by the guild for distribution through community pharmacies, it covers a wide range of issues.

Guild chief executive Murray Burns said the booklet included information from a range of Government and other sources to provide an accessible "one-stop shop" information base.

Pharmacists would, if asked, discuss any issue raised by teens confidentially and direct them to their doctor, specialist advice or counselling if necessary.

Ms Harre said teenagers were more likely to make healthy choices if they had the right information.

"That doesn't mean keeping them in the dark because we, the grown-ups, might not agree with the decisions they make.

"Rather, it's up to us to help keep our young people healthy and safe by giving them all the options and being ready to discuss the issues with them."