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National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion |
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Vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse place young people at risk for HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Vaginal intercourse carries the additional risk of pregnancy. In the United States
In addition, young people in the United States use alcohol and other drugs at high rates.6 Adolescents are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors, such as unprotected sex, when they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.7 In 2007, 23% of high school students who had sexual intercourse during the past three months drank alcohol or used drugs before last sexual intercourse.1
Abstinence from vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse is the only 100% effective way to prevent HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy. The correct and consistent use of a male latex condom can reduce the risk of STD transmission , including HIV infection.8,9 However, no protective method is 100% effective, and condom use cannot guarantee absolute protection against any STD or pregnancy.
HIV/STD prevention education should be developed with the active involvement of parents, be locally determined, and consistent with community values. It should address the needs of youth who are not engaging in sexual intercourse and youth who are currently sexually active, while ensuring that all youth are provided with effective education to protect themselves and others from HIV/STD infection now and lifelong.
How CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health is
Addressing HIV, Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Pregnancy Prevention
[pdf 1.6MB]
School Health Policies and Programs Study
SHPPS is a national survey periodically conducted to assess school health
policies and programs at the state, district, school, and classroom
levels, including those related to sexual behaviors.
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
The YRBSS monitors behaviors that contribute markedly to the leading
causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth and adults in
the United States.
More Epidemiological Data on adolescents and sexual risk behaviors:
HIV/AIDS and Youth
STDs and Youth
Unintended Teen Pregnancy
Other Related Data
See Sexual Behaviors: School Health Guidelines, developed to help school personnel and others plan, implement, and evaluate educational efforts to prevent HIV infection.
Registries of Programs Effective in Reducing Youth Risk Behaviors. Various federal agencies have identified youth-related programs that they consider worthy of recommendation based on expert opinion or a review of design and research evidence. These programs focus on different health topics, risk behaviors, and settings, including HIV/AIDS prevention.
Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT). The Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) can help school districts, schools, and others conduct a clear, complete, and consistent analysis of health education curricula based on the National Health Education Standards and CDC’s Characteristics of Effective Health Education Curricula. The HECAT results can help schools select or develop appropriate and effective health education curricula and improve the delivery of health education to address sexual health and other health education topics. The HECAT can be customized to meet local community needs and conform to the curriculum requirements of the state or school district.
School Connectedness: Strategies for Increasing Protective Factors Among Youth. Students who feel connected to school believe that adults and peers in the school care about their learning as well as about them as individuals. When students feel connected to school, they are less likely to engage in a variety of risk behaviors, including early sexual initiation. Connected students are also more likely to have higher grades and test scores, have better school attendance, and stay in school longer. This document provides school administrators and teachers with strategies they can use to enhance school connectedness among students.
CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) supports the development and implementation of effective health promotion policies and programs that address priority health risks among youth. See DASH-funded state, territorial, and local agencies and tribal governments and national nongovernmental organizations.
Documents on this page are available in Portable Document Format (PDF). Learn more about viewing and printing these documents with Acrobat Reader.
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Page last reviewed: October 23, 2008
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