ABSTRACT
A fundamental change has occurred in the discourse of public health over the last 30 years with the acknowledgement that sexual health is not only essential to overall health and well-being but is also a fundamental human right. This chapter examines this phenomenon and traces the origins of the transformation. It focuses in particular on how changes in understandings of sexuality have brought about a re-orientation of research and clinical and professional practice, and how sexology has transformed to engage with progressively broader health concerns including not only sexual health but also the possibility of pleasure.
