From the age of 12: STI screening is brought forward in Catalonia after cases in under-25s have quintupled since 2016

The Department of Health advances the screening of sexually transmitted infections from 15 to 12 years old. The measure responds to the fact that cases in minors under 25 have quintupled since 2016 and includes specific questions in pediatrics and health coordination.

08 of may of 2026 at 15:21h
From the age of 12: STI screening is brought forward in Catalonia after cases in under-25s have quintupled since 2016
From the age of 12: STI screening is brought forward in Catalonia after cases in under-25s have quintupled since 2016

The Department of Health has advanced the age for screening sexually transmitted infections from 15 to 12 years old. This measure seeks to detect infections early in a population where cases have quintupled since 2016.

Pediatricians will incorporate specific questions about affective relationships during the routine twelve-year-old check-up. The objective is to identify risks and possible infections before they lead to more serious health problems.

Chlamydia heads the list of pathologies

Health statistics place chlamydia as the most frequent disease among young people, followed by gonorrhea and syphilis. Experts link this exponential increase recorded in the last decade to a clear change in the social habits of the young population.

The cases of infections have quintupled among those under 25 years of age in the last eight years. This data justifies the urgency with which health authorities have deployed the new action protocol.

The strategy is not limited to early detection. The plan includes improving coordination between all care levels and community services to reinforce prevention tasks in the territory.

Data Transparency through the SIVIC Platform

Citizens have had access since Thursday to updated epidemiological information through the public website SIVIC. This tool allows for the consultation of data on sexually transmitted infections in Catalonia with total transparency.

Representatives of the health department presented the new model to more than 230 professionals. The session took place in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat and served to explain the operational details of the initiative.

About the author
Redacción
See biography