Purpose: Promote and protect the sexual health of the Department of the Navy (DoN) population to support mission readiness and accomplishment, minimize avoidable health care costs and personnel losses, prevent morbidity and mortality, and support quality of life.
Definition: Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.
(WHO working definition, 2002)
SHARP Vision: A DoN cultural norm in which physical and social sexual health are encouraged, supported and expected, and a DoN population in which all pregnancies are planned, and sexual violence, coercion and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, are prevented.
SHARP Motto: "Chart a Safe Course" affirms that each individual has the right and responsibility to make choices about their sexual health and behavior; and that sexual health decision-making is a lifelong and dynamic process because a person's circumstances and relationships may change over time.
SHARP Mission: Provide DoN members and families with health information, education, and behavior change programs for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and unplanned pregnancies and collaborate with other Navy and Marine Corps stakeholders to advance sexual health policies and activities, and support healthy sexual behavior and relationships.
SHARP Goal: Reduce the occurrence of STIs including HIV and unplanned pregnancies among DoN members and families to levels specified in selected Healthy People 2010 Objectives
- Strategy
- Objectives, Dashboard Metrics, and Sexual Health Statistics (.MIL only access)
Message to Commanding Officers and Leaders
Policies of the Uniformed Services
Sexual Harrassment - SECNAV Policy
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response:
Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire - Tell us what you think...SHARP Customer Feedback
SHARP Contact Information:
Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center
Sexual Health and Responsibility Program (SHARP)
620 John Paul Jones Circle, Suite 1100
Portsmouth VA 23708
(757) 953-0974 (DSN 377)
Fax: (757) 953-0705
mailto:sharp@NEHC.mar.med.navy.mil
Content last reviewed on 20 May 2011.