2018 Minnesota Adolescent Sexual Health Report

Abstract

This report details the sexual health of Minnesota’s youth. Teen pregnancy and birth rates are at historic lows, with the teen pregnancy rate among 15-19 year olds having declined nearly 71% from 1990 to 2016 and the teen birth rate having declined 65% in that same time period. Rates have decreased most among youth from communities of color. Young people should be commended for making wise and healthy choices about their sexual health. However, many challenges remain. Sexually transmitted infections continue to increase, youth are experiencing sexual violence and harassment, and disparities – by geography, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, and gender identity – persist. The following recommendations are the University of Minnesota Healthy Youth Development • Prevention Research Center’s (PRC) response to the issues outlined in this report.