Improving sexually transmitted infection prevention through better modelling, data integration and community informed research
STIs remain a major public health challenge in the UK, with shifting patterns of infection and emerging concerns such as mpox. To help plan better responses, researchers worked with public health experts, modellers and community groups to improve methods to understand STI transmission dynamics. Their recommendations will support better-targeted prevention, greater inclusion of underserved populations, and stronger epidemic preparedness.
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Summary:
The sexual health landscape is constantly evolving. STI rates in the UK remain high, patterns of infection are changing, and conditions such as syphilis and mpox continue to pose public health challenges. To respond effectively, public health agencies need robust evidence on how infections spread and who is most at risk.
The NIHR Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) for Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections brought together researchers, public health professionals and community representatives to explore new approaches to modelling disease transmission. The event fostered collaboration between those who develop models, those who collect and use data, and the communities most affected, helping to strengthen the evidence that informs public health policy and practice.
The workshop highlighted the need for better representation of sexual networks, stronger integration of behavioural, surveillance and genomic data, and greater inclusion of underserved populations.
This work will help strengthened the UK’s ability to use modelling to support STI prevention and control. It has improved understanding of the data and methods needed for evidence-based public health decision-making and fostered new collaborations across research, public health and community sectors. Importantly, it has helped ensure that community perspectives are reflected in modelling approaches, improving relevance and reducing the risk of stigma.
The expected impact is more accurate modelling of STI transmission, better targeting of prevention and control measures, and improved epidemic preparedness. In the longer term, this will support more effective public health interventions, reduce health inequalities and improve sexual health outcomes, particularly for populations currently underrepresented in research.