Many young people engage in sexual risk behaviors that can result in unintended health outcomes. For example, among U.S. high school students surveyed in 2013:
•46.8% had ever had sexual intercourse
•34.0% had had sexual intercourse during the previous 3 months, and, of these ◦40.9% did not use a condom the last time they had sex
•15.0% had had sex with four or more people during their life
Sexual risk behaviors place adolescents at risk for HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and unintended pregnancy:
•An estimated 8,300 young people aged 13–24 years in the 40 states reporting to CDC had HIV infection in 20092
•Nearly half of the 19 million new STDs each year are among young people aged 15–24 years3
•More than 400,000 teen girls aged 15–19 years gave birth in 20094
To reduce sexual risk behaviors and related health problems among youth, schools and other youth-serving organizations can help young people adopt lifelong attitudes and behaviors that support their health and well-being—including behaviors that reduce their risk for HIV, other STDs, and unintended pregnancy.