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Adolescents and Young Adults

15 to 24 year olds account for half of all new STD infections

While sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect individuals of all ages, STDs take a particularly heavy toll on young people. CDC estimates that youth ages 15-24 make up just over one quarter of the sexually active population, but account for half of the 20 million new sexually transmitted infections that occur in the United States each year. The resources on this page provide information about the impact of STDs on youth as well as resources for reaching this population.

 

Highlights

Confidentiality Issues and Use of Sexually Transmitted Disease Services Among Sexually Experienced Persons Aged 15–25 Years — United States, 2013–2015 – MMWR March 10, 2017

2015 STD Treatment Guidelines – Adolescents – STD screening and treatment information for youth and young adults. (June 4, 2015)

Talking with Your Teens about Sex: Going Beyond “the Talk” (November 20, 2014)

Adolescents, Technology and Reducing Risk for HIV, STDs and Pregnancy – White paper provides an overview about the ways in which digital technology can be used to improve the sexual health of adolescents. (August 8, 2013)

Webinars, Podcasts and Videos

KABI Chronicles: The Edge Motion Comic Series – An original, comic-based, serial drama following the lives of nine fictional high school and college friends as they navigate young adulthood, while also educating viewers about HIV and STDs. (August 4, 2016)

Four Underused Clinical Preventive Services for Adolescents – Featuring Lorraine Yeung, MD, MPH. This Doctor’s Channel video highlights underused pediatric clinical preventive services for adolescents based on a CDC Report (July 9, 2015)

Let’s Talk About Sexual Health – Video for doctors and young adults on how to talk about sexual health. (November 30, 2012)

Podcast: STD Awareness: Reaching Youth – Dr. Gail Bolan, Director of CDC’s Division of STD Prevention, discusses the role healthcare providers play in educating young patients about sexual health and STD prevention. (April 16, 2012)

Reports

CDC Fact Sheet: Reported STDs in the United States – Summary of trends and highlights of data from the 2013 annual report (December 2014)

STDs in Adolescents and Young Adults – An overview of statistics and data collection methods based on the 2016 STD Surveillance Report. (September 26, 2017)

Fact Sheets and Brochures

thumbnail of infographic

STIs Among Young Americans

This infographic shows the impact, causes, and consequences of STDs among young people.

View full infographic »

Just Diagnosed? New fact sheet provides the three steps you can take if you were recently diagnosed with gonorrhea or chlamydia, including resources to help you talk to your partner. (August 3, 2017)

STD Fact Sheets – Disease-specific information about symptoms, prevention, and treatment.

Know your CONDOM DOs & DON’Ts

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