Its research shows half of young men in the UK are planning to celebrate at parties, clubs and pubs this New Year.
Women are more likely to be staying at home or with friends.
Many young people who are going out are hoping that sex will be on the menu. One in 10 men aged 16 to 34 says a new sexual partner is the most important ingredient of a happy new year. The HEA says the highest levels of unsafe sex take place around Christmas, reflected by peaks in abortions, sexually transmitted infections, and people going for HIV tests in the first quarter of each year . It is predicting a gloomy millennium for many young people if they do not take the proper precautions. The HEA is launching a safer sex campaign on Thursday, urging young people to stock up on condoms and the contraceptive pill before the long New Year holiday kicks in, and shops and sexual heatlh services close down.