At a glance
- Risky sexual behaviors can lead to HIV infection, sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancy among youth.
- The What Works in Schools program can reduce these risk behaviors and experiences and improve student health.
Why it's important
Many young people engage in health risk behaviors that can result in unintended health outcomes.
CDC's What Works in Schools is a three-strategy school-based program. The program can lead to reductions in these risk behaviors and experiences and improve student health.
See Also
From 2013 to 2023, CDC data showed worse outcomes in these areas:
- Decreased protective sexual behaviors: condom use, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, and HIV testing.
- Increased experiences of violence, mental health issues, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Fast Facts
Among U.S. high school students surveyed in 2023:
- 32% had ever had sexual intercourse.
- 48% did not use a condom the last time they had sex.
- 9% had been physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to.
- 7% of all students have ever been tested for HIV.
- 6% of all students have been tested for sexually transmitted diseases during the past year.
Source: National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2023
See Also
Did you know?
Why it matters
HIV, STIs, and teen pregnancy are health consequences
Sexual risk behaviors place youth at risk for HIV infection, other STIs, and unintended pregnancy:
HIV
19% of all new HIV diagnoses were among young people (aged 13–24) in 2022
STIs
Young people aged 15–24 years accounted for 50% of reported STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) in 2022.
Teen Pregnancy
The birth rate for young females aged 15–19 was 14% in 2022.
Abstinence from vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse is the only 100% effective way to prevent HIV, other STIs, and pregnancy.
The correct and consistent use of male latex condoms can reduce the risk of STI transmission, including HIV infection. However, no protective method is 100% effective. And condom use cannot guarantee absolute protection against any STI or pregnancy.
How you can help
School health programs can help young people adopt lifelong attitudes and behaviors that support their health and well-being. These include behaviors that can reduce their risk for HIV and other STIs.
HIV, STIs, and teen pregnancy prevention programs in schools should:
- Provide health information that is basic, is accurate, and directly promotes health-related decisions and behaviors.
- Address the needs of youth who are not having sex as well as youth who are sexually active.
- Ensure that all youth are offered effective education and skills to protect themselves and others from HIV, other STIs, and unintended pregnancy.
- Be created with the active involvement of students and parents.
- Be locally determined and consistent with community values and relevant policies.
National Strategic Plans
- The National HIV/AIDS Strategy calls for all Americans to be educated about HIV. This includes knowing how HIV is transmitted and prevented. It also includes knowing which behaviors put people at greatest risk for infection. HIV awareness and education should be integrated into all educational environments.
- The Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan aims to reverse the recent dramatic rise in STIs in the United States. Health education can help adolescents prevent STIs. It can also help adolescents make informed, positive, and safe choices about healthy relationships, responsible sexual activity, and reproductive health.