There's less than 30 days to the election. Register to vote now!

DoSomething.org is an organization that fuels young people to change the world.

11 Facts About Teens and STDs

Welcome to DoSomething.org, a global movement of millions of young people making positive change, online and off! The 11 facts you want are below, and the sources for the facts are at the very bottom of the page. After you learn something, Do Something! Find out how to take action here.

  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).]
GET INVOLVED

Make a difference in your community and add your vision to the future of our democracy