At a glance
- CDC’s What Works in Schools program is a school-based program designed to reduce sexual risk behaviors.
- It is also designed to reduce other adolescent-related health risk behaviors and experiences.
- You can read research articles that show how What Works in Schools accomplishes these goals.
Research articles
Recent research articles on CDC’s What Works in Schools program show how this school-based approach works. The program was designed to reduce sexual and other adolescent-related health risk behaviors and experiences.
Overview
CDC's What Works in Schools is a school-based program with three main strategies. The program was originally designed to prevent behaviors that put adolescents at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and unintended pregnancy.
The three strategies are:
- Providing quality health education, including sexual health education.
- Increasing student access to health care services.
- Creating safe and supportive environments where students feel connected to adults and peers who care about them.
Benefits of What Works in Schools program
Research showed that schools implementing the program saw significant benefits in six outcome areas, examining whether students:
Sexual history
Had ever had sex.
Sexual partners
Had four or more lifetime sexual partners.
Sexual activity
Had sex in the last 3 months.
School safety
Had missed school because of concerns for their safety.
Rape
Had ever been forced to have sex.
Drug use
Had ever used or currently used marijuana.
CDC’s program model for healthier youth
CDC developed a health program for districts, schools, and classrooms to help change systems, practices, and environments in schools to address factors associated with increased adolescent health risk behaviors and experiences.
The influence of the What Works in Schools program extended beyond the students who participated. Improved outcomes were seen for all students at schools that used the program.
The beneficial effect of the What Works in Schools program also extended beyond STIs, HIV, and pregnancy prevention.
More information
- Addressing HIV/Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Pregnancy Prevention Through Schools: An Approach for Strengthening Education, Health Services, and School Environments That Promote Adolescent Sexual Health and Well-Being
- Association Between LGBTQ Student Nondiscrimination Laws in Selected States and School District Support for Gay-Straight Alliances
- Dosage in Implementation of an Effective School-Based Health Program Impacts Youth Health Risk Behaviors and Experiences
- Increases in Student Knowledge and Protective Behaviors Following Enhanced Supports for Sexual Health Education in a Large, Urban School District
- Local Education Agency Impact on School Environments to Reduce Health Risk Behaviors and Experiences Among High School Students
- Overwhelming Support for Sexual Health Education in U.S. Schools: A Meta-Analysis of 23 Surveys Conducted Between 2000 and 2016