Turia announces 'reprioritised' sexual health funding

Money is being redirected to sexual and reproductive health initiatives. File photo / Natalie Slade

Sexual and reproductive health initiatives will be funded with a $7.3 million "reprioritised" allocation of budget money, Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia says.

The funding has not been previously announced and Mrs Turia said today it would be spread over four years and would be aimed at high risk groups.

It is not new money - it has been drawn from previous sexual health programmes and Mrs Turia said the new approach would lead to better results.

"New Zealand has high rates of sexually transmitted infections...the incidence of chlamydia in Maori youth is double that of non-Maori youth," she said.

"We need to step up our efforts in order to improve sexual health outcomes by increasing the support and information available."

Mrs Turia said the money would be used for:

* Evaluating school-based sexual education. "International evidence highlights the need to take into account the diverse needs and experiences of young people";

* Evaluating condom promotion initiatives and expanding health promotion initiatives aimed at reducing the stigma faced by people living with HIV and Aids;

* Completing the chlamydia project and supporting the African communities research project.

- NZPA