Quick Facts
Drawing from credible, national surveys, the NCSH has produced a profile on the sexual health of youth. The data points below are drawn from this audience profile.
About Youth and Sexual Health:
- Most youth say they have had a boyfriend or girlfriend, and over half say they have been in love.
- Yet, more youth are delaying having sex than in the past.
- One third of youth want more information about how to set sexual boundaries with partners.
- Most youth are comfortable talking about sex with their partners, but many wait to talk about sexual health until after they’ve had sex.
- About half of youth have never talked with their parents about sexual-decision making.
- About 40% of sexually active high school students did not use condoms during their most recent sexual experience.
- Each year, there are approximately 750,000 teen pregnancies and 368,000 teen births. And, one in four teens has at least one Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI).
- Less than one in five sexually active youth were tested for both STIs and HIV in the past year.
- A significant portion of youth want more information on STI prevention, testing, and treatment, and how to talk to partners and parents about sexual health issues.
