Sexual Disease Statistics

Everyone needs to clearly understand that these statistics are but a glimpse of problems that await all of us if these health problems are not resolved. The statistics for sexual diseases are much worse because people are often unwilling to go to health facilities or admit sexual activity.

U.S. high school students surveyed in 2013: Many young people engage in sexual risk behaviors that can result in unintended health outcomes.

  • 47% had ever had sexual intercourse.
  • 34% had sexual intercourse during the previous 3 months.
  • 41% did not use a condom the last time they had sex.
  • 15% have had sex with four or more people during their life.
  • 22% of sexually experienced students have never been tested for HIV.

In the United States, sexual risk behaviors place adolescents at risk for HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and unintended pregnancy:

  • 10,000 young people (aged 13–24) were diagnosed with HIV infection.
  • Young gay and bisexual men (aged 13–24) accounted for an estimated 19% (8,800) of all new HIV infections.
  • 72% of new HIV infections among youth.
  • 10 million new STDs each year were among young people, between the ages of 15 to 24.
  • 273,000 babies were born to teen girls aged 15–19.

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. The National HIV/AIDS Strategy calls for all Americans to be educated about HIV. This includes knowing how HIV is transmitted and prevented, and knowing which behaviors place individuals at greatest risk for infection. HIV awareness and education should be universally integrated into all educational environments.

– CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sexual Risk Behaviors: HIV, STD, & Teen Pregnancy Prevention, September 1, 2015 [1]

References

[1] http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/sexualbehaviors/