Each year, there are approximately 19 million new STD infections in the United States, and almost half of them are among youth aged 15 to 24. Thirty-four percent of young women become pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20.

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 2005, 47% of high school students had ever had sexual intercourse, and 14% of high school students had had four or more sex partners during their life.1
   
• In 2005, 34% of currently sexually active high school students did not use a condom during last sexual intercourse.1
   
• In 2002, 11% of males and females aged 15-19 had engaged in anal sex with someone of the opposite sex; 3% of males aged 15-19 had had anal sex with a male.2
   
• In 2002, 55% of males and 54% of females aged 15-19 had engaged in oral sex with someone of the opposite sex.2
   
• In 2004, an estimated 4,883 young people aged 13-24 in the 33 states reporting to CDC were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, representing about 13% of the persons diagnosed that year.3
   
• Each year, there are approximately 19 million new STD infections, and almost half of them are among youth aged 15 to 24.4
   
• In 2000, 13% of all pregnancies, or 831,000, occurred among adolescents aged 15-19.5

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 2005, 23% of high school students who had sexual intercourse during the past three months drank alcohol or used drugs before last sexual intercourse.1

This information is from the CDC Healthy Youth! Adolescent Health Website.

 

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References

1.        CDC. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 2005 [pdf 300K]. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report 2006;55(SS-5):1–108. 

2.        Mosher W, Chandra A, Jones J. Sexual behavior and selected health measures: men and women 15-44 years of age, United States, 2002. Advance Data from Vital and Health Statistics September 15, 2005; Number 362:21-26. 

3.        CDC. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2004.  Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2005;16:10. 

4.        Weinstock H, Berman S, Cates W. Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: Incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 2004;36(1):6-10. 

5.        Ventura SJ, Abma JC, Mosher WD, Henshaw S. Estimated pregnancy rates for the United States, 1990-2000: an update. National Vital Statistics Reports;  Hyattsville, Maryland: National Center for Health Statistics; 2004;52(23):7. 

6.        Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2003 National Survey on Drug Use & Health. 

7.        Leigh B, Stall R. Substance use and risky sexual behavior for exposure to HIV: issues in methodology, interpretation, and prevention. American Psychologist 1993;48:1035–1043. 

8.        CDC. Male Latex Condoms and Sexually Transmitted Diseases [pdf 115K]. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; January 2003. 

9.        Crosby RA, DiClemente RJ, Wingood GM, et al. Condom failure among adolescents: implications for STD prevention. Journal of Adolescent Health 2005;36:534-536.