11 Facts About Teens and STDs

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1. New estimates show that there are about 20 million new sexually transmitted infections in the United States each year.^["Incidence, Prevalence, and Cost of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States.." Center for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/sti-estimates-fact-sheet-feb-2013.pdf (accessed July 22, 2014).]
2. Young people, between the ages of 15 to 24, account for 50% of all new STDs, although they represent just 25% of the sexually experienced population^["Incidence, Prevalence, and Cost of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States.." Center for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/sti-estimates-fact-sheet-feb-2013.pdf (accessed July 22, 2014).]
3. 46% of American high school students have had sexual intercourse and potentially are at risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and other STDs. Get yourself tested for HIV -- and tell others you did! Sign up for Update Your Status.^[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "HIV, Other STD, and Pregnancy Prevention Education in Public Secondary Schools — 45 States, 2008–2010." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6113a2.htm (accessed July 19, 2014).]
4. In 2012, gonorrhea rates were highest among adolescents and young adults. In 2012, the highest rates were observed among women aged 20–24 years (578.5) and 15–19 years (521.2).^[CDC. "2012 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Surveillance: Gonorrhea." Center for Disease Control. Accessed March 10, 2015. .]
5. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are more than 110 million STIs among men and women in the US. This includes both new and existing infections.^["Incidence, Prevalence, and Cost of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States.." Center for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/sti-estimates-fact-sheet-feb-2013.pdf (accessed July 22, 2014).]
6. The annual number of new infections is roughly equal among teen girls (51%) and teen guys (49%).^["Incidence, Prevalence, and Cost of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States.." Center for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/sti-estimates-fact-sheet-feb-2013.pdf (accessed July 22, 2014).]
7. HPV (human papillomavirus) accounts for the majority of prevalent STIs in the US.^[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Genital HPV Infection - Fact Sheet." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm (accessed July 20, 2014).]
8. The US has the highest rate of STD infection in the industrialized world.^[InfoPlease. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. InfoPlease. Accessed March 10, 2015. .]
9. 6 in 10 sexually active high school teens reported using condoms during their most recent sexual intercourse.^[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Sexual Risk Behavior: HIV, STD, & Teen Pregnancy Prevention." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/sexualbehaviors/ (accessed July 19, 2014).]
10. 1 in 4 teens contract a sexually transmitted disease every year.^[Minnesota Department of Health. About STD Awareness Month, STD Awareness Month Facts. MDH. Accessed March 10, 2015. .]
11. Less than half of adults age 18 to 44 have ever been tested for an STD other than HIV/AIDS.^["Sexually Transmitted Diseases." Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States. http://www.siecus.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&pageId=598&parentID=477 (accessed July 22, 2014).]