The Shocking State Of London's Sexual Health

Aged 15-17, female, and a resident of one of London's poorer boroughs? Then there could be a one in thirteen chance you're pregnant. This is one of the sad statistics gleaned from a report by the London Assembly on the capital's teen pregnancy and sexual health. As with so many indices, they tell a tale of two cities: rates of STIs are growing in places like Barking and Tower Hamlets, yet in the capital's wealthier burgs, where they can afford to warn residents about chlamydia, infection rates are well below the national average. Southwark, meanwhile, has been branded the teen pregnancy capital of the UK, a boast probably won't make it onto council advertising literature. James Cleverly, head of the Assembly's health and public services committee, wants a 'teen sex czar' appointed to unify the currently confused, even conflicting, approach to sexual health.