A wave of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is sweeping the UK. Some reports say that the country has the worst sexual health in Europe - and it is teenagers who have the worst sexual health of all.
It all could point to a social breakdown calling for serious introspection. But no one seems to be listening. The situation has been progressively deteriorating.
Since 2003, cases of STIs diagnosed in those aged under 19 have risen by 21 per cent. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are a particular problem, while herpes in teenage girls rose 16 per cent between 2005 and 2006.
These are nasty diseases. While chlamydia is curable with a dose of antibiotics, it is often symptomless and can progress to such a degree that it can cost a woman her fertility.
Herpes, meanwhile, is incurable. The virus remains in the body for life and sufferers experience repeated recurrences which can be severe.
Further evidence of the risks being taken are contained in abortion statistics, which show that the number of teenagers having terminations rose 15 per cent in the past five years.
Worse still, between 2006 and 2007, there was a 10 per cent rise in abortions among under-16s, from 3,990 to 4,376. Most involved girls aged 15, but 1,008 were 14 and 163 were even younger.
Beyond the toll these abortions and STIs have on the physical and mental health of individuals, they also cost society as a whole. Last year, the bill for treating teenagers suffering from STIs came to more than £40million - that's an increase of £7million since 2003.
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