Sexual health is an important aspect of overall health that affects both individuals and society. The topic includes emotional and physical well-being, financial security, and public health, with implications for everything from the economy to morbidity and mortality rates.

Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the world, the United States falls behind other industrialized nations in terms of sexual health. Experts point to several challenges, including a rise in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and a lack of comprehensive sexual health education. The COVID-19 crisis has been officially declared over, but the pandemic caused trickle-down effects in terms of funding shortfalls for public health programs, including ones related to sexual health.

In this nine-part series, Giddy investigates some of the most pressing sexual and reproductive health challenges facing the U.S., examines how government and public health services are meeting expectations and suggests future goals that should be met. 

This series draws on published research and insights from leading sexual health experts, such as physicians and university professors. We also have exclusive interviews with representatives of the country's most influential organizations and institutions including the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the National Coalition for Sexual Health (NCSH), the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD), Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and SIECUS (formerly Sexual Information and Education Council of the U.S.).