Summary

Sexual and reproductive health is fundamental to health and wellbeing across every stage of a person’s life. Despite this, there are gaps in national data, statistics and monitoring information in Australia.

The Australian Government funded the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) to develop a National Sexual and Reproductive Health Monitoring Framework (the Framework), Data Strategy, and reporting to fill these data and information gaps.

The goal is to ensure that there is timely and reliable information about sexual and reproductive health experiences, services and systems to:

  • inform evidence-based policy and decision-making
  • support service planning and delivery
  • improve outcomes, including those related to equity, access and quality.

What is the monitoring framework?

The Framework provides a conceptual structure to monitor, understand and respond to sexual and reproductive health in Australia. It identifies what is important to monitor to:

  • support improved health and care outcomes throughout a person’s life, including in relation to equity, access and quality
  • inform evidence-based policy and service provision
  • align with policy and stakeholder priorities.

It is guided by an overarching question:

How timely, accessible and high-quality is sexual and reproductive health care for all in Australia?

The Framework takes a person-centred, whole-of-life approach that focuses on:

  • who is – and who is not – accessing sexual and reproductive health care when they need it
  • barriers to seeking and receiving care
  • experiences of those who access care.

The Framework has been developed to cover the full scope of sexual and reproductive health in Australia and is designed to apply beyond the AIHW’s work program. It examines equity, access, quality and broader factors that influence sexual and reproductive health and services. It will be routinely reviewed to ensure that it remains relevant and effective towards achieving its goal.

Initial priority topics

While the Framework is designed to encompass all areas of sexual and reproductive health, the Data Strategy and initial reporting focus on 5 priority topics, listed below. These were selected and agreed in consultation with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing based on current policy priorities, recent government inquiries, and areas where the largest national data gaps were identified, and are:

  • menstrual disorders, symptoms and related conditions (including endometriosis)
  • contraception
  • pregnancy loss before 20 weeks’ gestation (including miscarriage)
  • termination of pregnancy, also known as abortion
  • perimenopause and menopause.

Further details of the scope of each initial priority topic are included in the Data Strategy. These topics are a starting point for reporting, with additional topics likely to be added over time. It is expected that the AIHW’s work will evolve to reflect the dynamic nature of sexual and reproductive health and changing stakeholder needs.