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A decline in condom use is putting young people’s health at risk, the World Health Organisation has warned.

The WHO surveyed respondents across 42 countries between 2014 and 2022.

It found that condom use among sexually active adolescents declined heavily, putting them at significant risk of sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions.

Out of a quarter-of-a-million 15-year-olds surveyed, nearly a third of them did not use a condom or the contraceptive pill.

Although sexual activity rates remained relatively stable, the proportion who used a condom when they last had intercourse fell from 70 per cent to 61 percent among boys, and 63 to 57 percent among girls.

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A new report has revealed that Australia urgently needs over 21-thousand early childhood educators to meet current demand, with future needs expected to increase further.

The study, released by Jobs and Skills Australia Commissioner Professor Barney Glover, highlighted the unsustainable staffing levels in a sector employing about 200-thousand workers.

An 8 per cent workforce growth was essential for sustainable staffing, with an additional 8 per cent required to meet unmet service demands, according to the latest figures.

The report emphasised the importance of supporting diverse communities, particularly in remote areas, and stressed the critical role of early childhood education in shaping future tertiary education participation.

The federal government has responded with a 3.6-billion-dollar investment in wage increases to attract and retain workers.

However, ongoing staff shortages are forcing centres to turn families away, underlining the need for further action to sustain the workforce and improve the sector’s appeal.

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New data has revealed that Australia is making significant strides towards its goal of eliminating HIV transmission by 2030, with new data showing a 33 per cent reduction in diagnoses over the past decade, despite a slight increase in 2023.

The report from the Kirby Institute highlighted that parts of Australia are nearing the “end of AIDS”, due to widespread use of HIV prevention medication and effective treatment.

There were 722 new HIV diagnoses reported across Australia in 2023, which experts say is still lower than pre-pandemic levels.

However, challenges remain, particularly in addressing HIV among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, as well as with people born overseas.

Experts emphasised the need for continued efforts to ensure equitable access to prevention and treatment, particularly in rural and diverse communities.