Europe-wide surveillance for sexually transmitted infections: a timely and appropriate intervention.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, pose a significant threat to the health and wellbeing of Europeans and require concerted and sustained intervention. Over the past decade, the number of reported cases of STIs, including antimicrobial resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, has increased appreciably, and outbreaks of syphilis have recently been reported in many Member states of the European Union (EU). Young people, homosexual men, and those with poor access to health care (including preventive and educational services) seem to be particularly affected, with increased travel and migration, high risk sexual behaviours, and a deterioration of public health responses to STI control (for example, partner notification) being key driving factors. Many of these demographic and behavioural trends are similar across EU states, as is the desire to develop and implement effective STI prevention and control programmes.