Sex in later life: Improving sexual health outcomes for midlife and older adults in British Columbia

Although sexuality is experienced across the lifespan, evidence indicates that the sexual health of midlife and older adults is often dismissed within healthcare systems. More specifically, there is a lack of appropriate, accessible, and inclusive services to address the sexual health needs of older adults, including treatment for sexual dysfunction, STI prevention, and general sexual health counseling and advice. The issues described above, while problematic now, may become increasingly significant as baby boomers age and make up an increasingly larger segment of the population. As such, this study employs an extensive literature review, qualitative interviews, and a case study analysis to investigate strategies that can address barriers to improving sexual health for adults over the age of 50. Following an analysis of these strategies, this study makes a series of short term and long-term recommendations to improve the provision of sexual health services for midlife and older adults in British Columbia.