Lie back and think of England

But we have to go a step further - taking a pragmatic look at emotive subjects such as prostitution (something we British are not always known for).'Sexual health cannot be addressed without looking at the legalisation of prostitution and massage parlours,' argues Professor Ashton. 'Without regulation it's impossible to trace the source of outbreaks of STIs. Outbreaks of food poisoning can be tracked to a particular food outlet, but this is impossible to do with an STI while the sex industry is unregulated.'

It's a call that is not likely to go down well with many sections of the sometimes hot-headed British public. We are a nation fast becoming known for reacting first, thinking later. But until we learn to break one of the last taboos in this country and talk openly, honestly and calmly about sex - to our children, our lovers, our friends and our GPs (men name sex as one of the most embarrassing things to discuss with their doctor) - we will never triumph over sexually transmitted infections.

And until we learn to divorce morality and emotion (who wants to contemplate their daughter having sex at 11?) from practicality and realism (many 11 years old are), we can never fully change the attitudes that have brought us to this point.It will be a long, hard journey, but one that we need to take.