Advancing sexual health equity in BC through intersectoral collaboration across education and healthcare
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Year 2024
- Principal investigator Travis Salway
- Co-lead(s) Heather Pedersen, BC Centre for Disease Control
- Host institution Simon Fraser University
- Research location Simon Fraser University - Burnaby Campus
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Team members
- Heather Pedersen, BC Centre for Disease Control
- Stéphanie Black, Simon Fraser University
- Sarah Watt, Simon Fraser University
- Heather Vause, ARC Foundation
- Saleema Noon, Saleema Noon Sexual Health Educators & Empowerment Foundation
- Carlie McPhee, The Whole Shebang
- Hasina Samji, Simon Fraser University
- Kriti Manuja, University of British Columbia
- Heather Kelley, BC Teachers Federation
Schools are a critical site for ensuring Sexual Health Education (SHE) in BC; however, recent increases in anti-SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) organizing threaten youth’s access to 2S;LGBTQ+ affirming SHE. This project brings together an intersectoral advisory group which includes a range of partners working in SHE, health promotion, service delivery, and related areas. We will establish an advisory group to identify research priorities for working across the otherwise siloed sectors of education and sexual healthcare. Together, we will co-create a research agenda that aims to strengthen and support access to 2S;LGBTQ+ affirming sexual health education. Throughout the project we will leverage opportunities for intersectoral learning and lay the groundwork to subsequently develop a range of KTE materials to support sexual health education policy and practice. This project brings experts together to facilitate knowledge sharing across sectors, identify research-informed strategies to improve sexual health education, and co-create future applied research opportunities to ultimately generate resources to support professionals in delivering 2S;LGBTQ+ affirming SHE.