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Adolescent Sexual Health and Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Conceptual and Empirical Demonstration

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Abstract

Adolescents have a disproportionate burden of the negative outcomes of sexual activity, such as sexually transmitted infections (STI), unintended pregnancy, and sexual coercion. These outcomes contribute to short- and long-term poor health, fertility, and economics that may reverberate into adulthood. Traditional public health research appropriately addresses these outcomes of adolescent sexual behavior by focusing on promotion of abstinence, delay of initiation of sexual activity, and consistent use of condoms and contraception [1]. The proposed 2020 health objectives, which emphasize positive youth development, continue this public health focus on isolated adverse outcomes [2]. This isolated focus obscures the larger developmental significance of sexuality and sexual behavior, creating a perspective that adolescent sexual health is an oxymoron in that adolescents cannot be simultaneously sexual and healthy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 410 W. 10th Street, Suite 1001, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    J. Dennis Fortenberry M.D. M.S. & Devon J. Hensel Ph.D.

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  1. J. Dennis Fortenberry M.D. M.S.
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  2. Devon J. Hensel Ph.D.
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Correspondence to J. Dennis Fortenberry M.D. M.S. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Division of STD Prevention, NCHHSTP, Ctrs for Disease Control and Prevention, Clifton Road, NE 1600, Atlanta, 30333, Georgia, USA

    Sevgi O. Aral

  2. , Division of STD Prevention, NCHHSTP, Ctrs for Disease Control and Prevention, Clifton Rd., NE 1600, Atlanta, 30333, Georgia, USA

    Kevin A. Fenton

  3. Ctrs for Disease Control and Prevention, Buford Hwy 4770, Atlanta, 30341, Georgia, USA

    Judith A. Lipshutz

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Fortenberry, J.D., Hensel, D.J. (2013). Adolescent Sexual Health and Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Conceptual and Empirical Demonstration. In: Aral, S., Fenton, K., Lipshutz, J. (eds) The New Public Health and STD/HIV Prevention. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4526-5_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4526-5_15

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