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National Advisory Council on Sexual Health (NAC)

The National Advisory Council on Sexual Health (NAC) provides continuous, comprehensive advisory discussion forums among a diverse group of eminent experts and community leaders regarding sexual health issues for the purpose of developing a national dialogue on human sexuality, sexual health and responsible sexual behavior, as well as effective initiatives in specific areas in the field of sexual health.

NAC currently consists of 18 leaders from various medical, scientific and professional disciplines, as well as policy makers, community leaders, and youth representatives.

The Center of Excellence for Sexual Health's current programs and initiatives were developed in large part by input from the National Advisory Council.  Potential elements of future initiatives in the following areas have also been suggested by NAC: sexual health and the Internet, a national sexual health research agenda, development of a common vocabulary around sexual health-related topics, a youth conference, improvements in medical practice, ABC + Hope contribution, prison initiative and a national publications program for showcasing diverse interpretive viewpoints on science in the service of affecting a robust national dialogue on sexual health in America.

Bridge Building Dialogues Program

The Bridge Building Dialogues Program is the backbone of the mission statement of CESH. CESH is committed to bringing together contending organizational leaders in sexual health to build agreements on difficult issues of public policy. The Program has two main components: The National Consensus Process on Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior (NCP) and a new global process pertaining to religion and sexuality.

The NCP is an initiative designed to bring together contending organizational leaders to build agreements on difficult issues of public policy. Dr. Satcher convened the National Consensus Process on Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior (NCP). Through this initiative, Dr. Satcher was able to bring together CEOs from a wide range of major constituency organizations with core interests in sexual health to build agreement on a common direction and specific products to contribute to improved sexual health in America. This is a very delicate process with many misunderstandings and suspicions to be overcome. This process, unique in the field of human sexuality, and of enormous promise in American public discussion is fragile and easily disrupted. Important lessons are being learned for use in other consensus processes dealing with intractable public health issues in American public life. Dr. Satcher provides consistent nurturing and reassurance to the participants. In this process, these leaders of diverse and contentious viewpoints, usually distant and combative, have established relationships and new, common understanding of formerly wholly divisive issues of sexual health. These leaders of diverse and contentious viewpoints have developed new personal relationships and established ground rules and procedures for their work together. Some examples of their most notable areas of agreement include a common vision statement for sexual health, a comprehensive sexual health research agenda and research methodology standards, and a set of guidelines for parents to talk with children about sexuality. Their willingness to continue this process, under the continuous encouragement of Dr. Satcher, is a singular initiative in this otherwise divisive field. The NCP provides the basis for practical hope for moving beyond current controversies to other issues for resolution in a more collegial national discussion. In May, 2006, the NCP released its Interim Report at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Click here to read this report.

The lessons learned with the NCP have been instrumental in the new religion and sexuality global process. This process is in its infancy with much more thinking, designing, and implementing to occur over the next three to five years.

Sexual Health Curriculum Development

As noted in the Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior (2001), physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, often the first point of contact for individuals with sexual health concerns or problems, can have great influence on the sexual health and behavior of their patients. Yet, both adolescents and adults frequently perceive that health care providers are uncomfortable when discussing sexuality and often lack adequate communication skills on this topic. Health care professionals need more and better sexuality and sexual health education in order to capitalize on opportunities to promote sexual health.

Promoting Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior: A Universal Curriculum for Health Professionals is rooted in cultural competence with patients in diverse residential and cultural communities and inclusive of the experience of persons with disabilities and chronic conditions. It is also sensitive and responsive to the importance and diversity of the religious communities of our nation. The comprehensive integration of sexual health into public health and physician and health professional education has been elusive. This curriculum is intended to address that integration.

The topics of the curriculum include:

• Sexuality Language & Communication
• Models of Sexuality
• Values, Attitudes & Beliefs
• Sexuality Across the Lifespan
• Sexual Anatomy, Physiology & Response Cycles
• Sexual Function & Dysfunction
• Disabilities & Chronic Conditions
• Relationships & Love
• Fertility, Pregnancy & Contraception
• Infertility
• Body Image, Self Esteem, Sexual Self Esteem
• Media & the Internet
• Sexual Orientation, Identity & Behavior
• Gender & Gender Variation
• Culture & Religion
• Behaviors, Practices, Expressions
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases, HIV & AIDS
• Sexual Abuse, Violence & Harassment

Please contact us at cesh@msm.edu for more information about this curriculum initiative.

CESH Scholars' Program

The Center of Excellence for Sexual Health (CESH) Community Leadership in Sexual Health Scholars' Program provides support for 10-month resident scholarships at Morehouse School of Medicine. The CESH Scholars' Program seeks to promote community leadership in the area of sexual health and to forge links between sexual health and public health service to combat health disparities. In creating community leadership in this area, the CESH Scholars' Program advances the continuing professional development for persons interested in the elimination of disparities in sexual health worldwide and help ensure the effective application of knowledge about human sexuality to the public health sphere, at the local, state, national and international level. In working closely with its community partners, the CESH Scholars' Program will, over time, establish a collaborative network of sexual health partners, both as an integrated initiative among others at Morehouse School of Medicine, and among organizations and agencies working in communities affected by public health disparities.

Description:
The Center of Excellence for Sexual Health (CESH) Community Leadership in Sexual Health Scholars' Program provides support for 10-month resident scholarships at Morehouse School of Medicine. The CESH Scholars' Program seeks to promote community leadership in the area of sexual health and to forge links between sexual health and public health service to combat health disparities. In creating community leadership in this area, the CESH Scholars' Program advances the continuing professional development for persons interested in the elimination of disparities in sexual health worldwide and help ensure the effective application of knowledge about human sexuality to the public health sphere, at the local, state, national and international level. In working closely with its community partners, the CESH Scholars' Program will, over time, establish a collaborative network of sexual health partners, both as an integrated initiative among others at Morehouse School of Medicine, and among organizations and agencies working in communities affected by public health disparities.

Mission:
The CESH Scholars' Program prepares persons for sexual health community leadership through education, intensive training, and research. Its mission is to promote sexual health and well-being, individual and community leadership, diversity, responsible sexual behavior, and the elimination of disparities in sexual health.

Requirements:
The CESH Scholars' Program will provide participants with comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, culturally sensitive training focused on sexual health and community leadership. In addition to offering formal classroom learning, the program provides a range of community-based practicum experiences in sexual health services and education, as well as training focusing on research methodology, design, analysis, and implementation for the health and social sciences. The program facilitates the integration of classroom and professional experiences pertaining to sexual health issues within community settings.

Scholars will be required to:

• Participate in two sexuality/leadership courses, three practicum experiences, and one research course to further develop knowledge and skills pertaining to community leadership and sexual health
• Work within the practicum organizations to address the sexual health needs of their target communities
• Carry out an on-site project useful to the practicum organization that provides an opportunity to further develop the scholar's professional skills
• Critically analyze and evaluate literature, media, and policy pertaining to sexual health
• Complete a research project on a sexual health topic

Outcomes

• Increase understanding of human sexuality and sexual health and effectively apply this knowledge to underserved communities and different cultural contexts
• Develop and practice community leadership skills
• Gain insight into personal and professional values, beliefs and attitudes pertaining to sexual health
• Understand the role of various constituencies of the sexual health field, such as researchers, practitioners, and policymakers; and of the importance of creating partnerships between them

Overview of the 2010-2011 Scholars' Year:
The CESH Scholars' tenure will run 11 months beginning August 2, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011. Scholars are expected to reside in the Atlanta area for the duration of the program. Each scholar will receive a $35,000 stipend plus healthcare coverage through Morehouse School of Medicine. The scholars will be instructed by a multidisciplinary faculty of experts in sexuality, medicine, community leadership, and public health.

Eligibility:
The program welcomes applications from academics, journalists, clergy and health practitioners who can demonstrate a commitment to improving the sexual health of others, especially those who represent underserved communities. The selection committee will award four scholarships. Applicants must hold at least a master's degree or its equivalent obtained from an accredited United States or foreign university by summer 2010.

Those who have completed more advanced graduate studies, such as medical training, also are welcome to apply. Minorities, people with disabilities, and those committed to eliminating disparities in sexual health are encouraged to apply. There are no citizenship requirements for the CESH Scholars' Program.

Application Information:
Thank you for your interest in the CESH Community Leadership in Sexual Health Scholars' Program. The economic downturn has necessitated a redesign of our program. While this process takes place, the application process is on a temporary hold. Please check back in early 2010 for further information and updates.

For further information, contact:
Carey R. Bayer, Ed.D., R.N.
CESH Scholars' Program Director
Center of Excellence for Sexual Health 
Morehouse School of Medicine
National Center for Primary Care
720 Westview Drive SW - Suite 238 C
Atlanta, Georgia 30310-1495
Tel: (404) 752-8694
Fax: (404) 752-1040
E-mail: cbayer@msm.edu

Disabilities, Cronic Conditions, and Sexual Health Program

Vision:
We envision a society in which wherever there are research, education, services and policies regarding sexual health, and there is substantial recognition of persons with disabilities and persons with chronic conditions. Wherever there are research, education, services and policies regarding persons with disabilities and persons with chronic conditions, there is substantial recognition of sexual health.

Mission:
The mission of the Center of Excellence for Sexual Health Disabilities Program is to be a catalyst and advocate for the development and implementation of research, education, services, and policies to address the sexual health needs of persons with disabilities and persons with chronic conditions.

Goals:
With regard to addressing the sexual health of persons with disabilities and persons with chronic conditions, the goals of the Center of Excellence for Sexual Health Disabilities Program include:

• Forums: To convene supported forums for leaders in research, education, services, public policy, faith communities, media, and advocacy;
• Disparities: To address disparities in behavior, environment, and health-care access and quality that negatively affect sexual health outcomes;
• Research: To identify, support and encourage research regarding sexual health;
• Education: To aid educational leaders in the professions of health, social services, and religion in recognizing and addressing sexual health;
• Services: To assist leaders in developing services to support sexual health;
• Policy: To assist leaders in designing and improving policies for programs and institutions that recognize sexual health; and
• International: To promote international forums and to provide leadership.

Definitions:

• "persons with disabilities" means persons (youth and adults) with a physical or mental impairment, whatever its cause, that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a history or record of such an impairment, or a perception by others as having such an impairment, which may affect sexual health. "Major life activities" include seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, learning, caring for self and working. (This definition is consistent with the definition in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Persons with disabilities may also be persons with chronic conditions in certain circumstances.)
• "persons with chronic conditions" means persons (youth and adults) who experience prolonged, persistent or permanent impairment in one or more body systems. Diabetes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cancer, aging, obesity, glaucoma heart disease, and mental illness may all contribute to impairments that may affect sexual health. (Persons with chronic conditions may also be persons with disabilities within the Americans with Disabilities Act in certain circumstances.)
• "substantial recognition" means specific acknowledgment and identification consisting of focused attention and engagement on an explicit and substantial basis
• "sexual health" is the integration of the somatic, emotional, intellectual, and social aspects of sexual being, in ways that are positively enriching and that enhance personality, communication, and love; includes negotiation of safe, meaningful, and fulfilling relationships with families, friends, caretakers and romantic partners
• "program" means a plan of action or structure for services, activities or procedures with a specific purpose
• "research" includes scientific and sociological investigations
• "education" includes professional education and continuing education programs and curricula across disciplines
• "policy" is public programs of procedures at the international, national, state and local levels of government, as well as within private and corporate institutions and religious organizations

Religious Leaders Initiative of Center of Excellence for Sexual Health

Regardless of one's own religious tradition, denomination, beliefs and practices, the intersection of faith and sexuality is pertinent and fundamental to one's sexual health and approach to sexuality. This initiative will provide forums for national religious leaders to build agreements on ways to address sexual health in preaching, religious education programs, research programs and outreach services to their communities as a contribution to strategically reducing the disparity in access to public health sexual health information and services. The CESH Religious Leaders' Program will address the need of dominant religious constituencies for assistance materials and support in addressing sexual health issues. CESH welcomes religious leaders into the national dialogue on human sexuality and sexual health. CESH will provide technical assistance service to religious leaders to encourage and support internal research efforts regarding sexual health, hold forums for religious leaders to discuss sexuality and sexual health, and develop an advisory "best practice" research agenda for religious denominations. CESH will provide staff services for the forums and provide technical assistance to the religious leaders in their implementation of specific initiatives in culturally-appropriate ways.

Regardless of one's own religious tradition, denomination, beliefs and practices, the intersection of faith and sexuality is pertinent and fundamental to one's sexual health and approach to sexuality. This initiative will provide forums for national religious leaders to build agreements on ways to address sexual health in preaching, religious education programs, research programs and outreach services to their communities as a contribution to strategically reducing the disparity in access to public health sexual health information and services. The CESH Religious Leaders' Program will address the need of dominant religious constituencies for assistance materials and support in addressing sexual health issues. CESH welcomes religious leaders into the national dialogue on human sexuality and sexual health. CESH will provide technical assistance service to religious leaders to encourage and support internal research efforts regarding sexual health, hold forums for religious leaders to discuss sexuality and sexual health, and develop an advisory "best practice" research agenda for religious denominations. CESH will provide staff services for the forums and provide technical assistance to the religious leaders in their implementation of specific initiatives in culturally-appropriate ways.

Since its inception in 2002, CESH has been committed to bringing together religious leaders to address sexual health issues through the formation of the CESH Religious Leaders' Program. CESH strengthened this commitment in 2008 through the acquisition of the Center for Sexuality and Religion (CSR), an organization with over 20 years of history of educating religious leaders and communities about sexuality. This acquisition began the establishment of the Marta Sutton Weeks/David E. Richards Endowed Chair in Sexuality and Religion at Morehouse School of Medicine, a move ensuring the permanence of the national CESH Religious Leaders' Program. The Program was not only strengthened with the acquisition of CSR in 2008, but also through the establishment of a formal partnership with the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC). CESH, CSR, and the partnership with ITC make the CESH Religious Leaders' Program optimally situated to positively affect the national and global dialogue on sexuality and religion. The rich history of each entity provides for a powerhouse of potential when combined together.