Vienna will receive a lighthouse center for sexual health in 2026!

Vienna will receive a lighthouse center for sexual health in 2026!

Vienna is planning to open an innovative sexual health center that will open its doors in 2026. This central offer will provide low-threshold, comprehensive services in the areas of testing, treatment, advice and prevention, reports Vienna.gv.at. The official presentation of the project will take place on Monday, September 15, 2025 at 10 a.m. Several key people, including Mirijam Hall from Aids Hilfe Vienna and Vienna City Councilor for Health Peter Hacker, will take part in this press conference, which is organized by Aids Hilfe Vienna, the City of Vienna and the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK).

The planned center is considered a lighthouse project for Austria and aims to send a signal in the area of ​​sexual health. In addition to the press conference, a film and photo opportunity with a tour of the construction site will be offered at 10:45 a.m. The event location is Aids Hilfe Wien on the 3rd floor of Mariahilfer Belt 4, 1060 Vienna.

Prevention work and education

A central part of the work of Aids Hilfe Vienna is the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as education about infection risks and transmission routes. To this end, Aids Hilfe Wien initiates workshops that are carried out in gender-separated groups and take place on its premises as well as in schools and other organizations.

Lectures on topics such as HIV/AIDS and other STIs should specifically adapt the content to the level of knowledge of the target group. Furthermore, an information stand is offered at various events, trade fairs and concerts, providing materials and free giveaways. Those interested can contact kovacs@aids-hilfe-wien.at for workshops and lectures, such as aidshilfen.at reported.

Demands to improve sexual health

On the occasion of World Sexual Health Day on September 4th, Aids Hilfe Vienna called for a national strategy to sustainably support sexual health in Austria. A new study shows that existing knowledge, sensitivity and structure around sexual health in medical practice is often inadequate. Discussions about sexuality are rare in healthcare settings, leading to stigma and a lack of access to needed counseling services. According to Aids Hilfe Vienna, 83% of those surveyed consider conversations about sexuality with doctors to be important, but over a quarter have never had such a conversation.

Aids Hilfe Vienna emphasizes the need for in-depth information as well as significant changes in the training and sensitization of specialists. The required measures include nationwide low-threshold offers for advice and STI testing as well as discrimination-free spaces in the healthcare system, as stated in a press release aids.at was highlighted. The 5th Aids Hilfe Vienna street festival will also take place on September 5th, celebrating the 40th anniversary of AIDS aid in Austria and offering a platform for music, politics and culture.