Barcelona City Council has published a new guide for journalists on how to report on sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. The document, launched on 26 May 2026 at the College of Journalists of Catalonia, is designed to support accurate and responsible coverage.
The guide was developed within the Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy (ESSIR), with input from the City Council, the Catalan government, and representatives from organisations, associations and scientific societies. Its aim is to help media professionals discuss STIs in a clear, positive way, while avoiding alarmist language, stigmatisation and blame.
Among the recommendations are using self-care language, avoiding messages that blame young people and the LGBTQI+ community, and steering clear of warlike terms. The guide also includes examples to show how these suggestions can be applied in practice.
Barcelona’s public health context is part of the reason for the guide. According to the Health in Barcelona 2024 report, STI cases are rising in the city, in line with a wider trend seen across Europe in recent years. The report says the increase affects both women and men, although incidence is higher among men, with a significant share of cases among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBHSH).
The same report says gonorrhoea is the most common STI in Barcelona, with an incidence of 91.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in women and 807.2 in men in 2024. Chlamydia is second, with 244.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in women and 525.4 in men. In the 15 to 19 age group, more cases are found in women than in men. Syphilis had an incidence of 20 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in women and 148.9 in men.
By contrast, HIV diagnoses continue to fall in the city. In 2024, Barcelona recorded 178 new diagnoses, an incidence of 10.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, down from 10.8 in 2023. For more Catalonia-wide public health coverage, see our news page.
