According to a new report produced by Options for Sexual Health and the University of British Columbia with funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, sexual health care providers in British Columbia must reform service delivery to better serve youth aged 15 to 29. Researchers found that despite provincial advancements over the last decade—such as free contraception and mail-order cancer screening—rates of sexually transmitted infections, sexual violence, and unplanned pregnancies remain disproportionately high in rural, remote, and equity-deserving communities.
Why B.C. Youth Still Struggle to Access Reliable Sexual Health Care
Young people today do not know more about sexual health than their peers did 10 or 20 years ago, according to Rachel Bergen, sexual health evaluation project lead at UBC. Speaking with 91 young people and 47 health-care providers across underserved areas like Fernie, Whistler, and the Comox Valley, researchers discovered that provincially mandated sex education in schools remains spotty, often non-existent, and heavily centered on fear, stigma, and heterosexual relationships. Bergen noted that internet research frequently backfires for teenagers and young adults. “Youth spoke a lot about being overwhelmed by information and how hard it can be to find reliable information,” Bergen told The Tyee, pointing to social media misinformation and scary anecdotes that warp perspectives on well-being.
Bringing Sexual Health Services Directly to Youth Spaces
To overcome barriers like transportation challenges and a lack of privacy in small towns, the report recommends shifting how existing services are delivered by bringing care to spaces where young people already spend time. Nicole Pasquino, registered nurse and clinical director at Options for Sexual Health, explained that providers can meet patients anywhere—such as schools or youth centers—so long as the patient does not need an exam and is not symptomatic. Pasquino cited the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island as a working model, where public health nurses visit high schools and Foundry youth clinics weekly. These pop-up models protect patient confidentiality, which is often difficult to maintain in small communities where local pharmacists or clinic staff might have personal ties to a patient’s family.
Did you know? In British Columbia, there is no set age requirement where patients suddenly gain the legal right to consent to medical care. Health-care providers determine whether a young person has the emotional and decision-making capacity to provide informed consent. According to Nicole Pasquino, a 13-year-old does not need parental permission for sexual health care if they demonstrate this capacity.
Overhauling School Sex Education Through External Specialists
Fragmented classroom instruction remains a major hurdle across the province. Pasquino noted that teachers often do not receive specialized training during their pre-service education, leaving some uncomfortable discussing sex.
Next Steps: Pilot Projects Launching This Fall
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need my parents’ permission to get sexual health care in B.C.?
No. According to Options for Sexual Health clinical director Nicole Pasquino, young patients do not need parental permission as long as the health-care provider determines the patient has the capacity to provide informed consent.
What are the main barriers youth face when seeking sexual health services?
According to the UBC report, young people face hurdles including a lack of local privacy in small towns, transportation difficulties, unreliable or overwhelming internet misinformation, and spotty sex education in schools.
What free resources are already available in B.C.?
B.C. residents currently benefit from free contraceptives prescribed by pharmacists, mail-order cancer screening, widely available abortion medications, and GetCheckedOnline for anonymous STI screening.
What do you think about these proposed changes to youth health care?
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