Risky Sexual Behavior

Risky sexual behavior includes choices and circumstances that raise the likelihood of unintended pregnancy or contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). These risks don’t exist in a vacuum. They are shaped by a complex mix of personal experience, cultural norms, access to education and healthcare, as well as the environments in which people live. When sexual health is overlooked, the ripple effects can be far-reaching—touching everything from educational outcomes to economic stability to long-term health. Supporting healthy sexual development and decision-making strengthens not only individual well-being, but also broader resilience of families and communities.

The rising rates of STIs in the U.S. point to a public health issue that continues to grow more urgent. In 2022, reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were all on the rise, with youth and young adults most affected (CDC). This problem goes deeper than individual behavior—it reflects persistent gaps in knowledge, trust, and care. Despite evidence that early, accurate information leads to better outcomes, many young people still navigate this terrain with limited guidance and few safe spaces to ask questions. These gaps didn’t appear overnight. They are the result of generations of underinvestment in sexual health, policy decisions that prioritized ideology over evidence, and social stigma that leaves too many voices unheard.

Not everyone is affected equally. Young people in households or schools where open discussion is discouraged may struggle to make informed choices. LGBTQ+ youth, youth of color, and those living in poverty often face added layers of risk, not because of who they are, but because systems have failed to meet their needs with care and respect (Advocates for Youth). The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted vital services—clinic visits, STI testing, school-based education—and further revealed the fragility of the sexual health safety net. At the same time, technology and social media have changed how young people learn about and experience sex, creating new points of access, but also new vulnerabilities.

To move forward, solutions must recognize the uneven ground many young people start from. Structural barriers—like racism, ableism, and gender-based discrimination—continue to influence who receives affirming, effective care and who gets left behind. An equitable approach doesn’t just offer services; it builds trust, honors lived experience, and invites people into the conversation on their own terms. Sexual health is closely linked to other areas of life, from housing and education to mental well-being. When someone lacks safety or stability in one area, it often shows up in another—making it even more essential that programs are coordinated and people are seen as whole.

Ignoring this issue carries a heavy cost. Rising STI rates and unintended pregnancies can overwhelm healthcare systems and set off generational cycles of hardship that are hard to interrupt. But, investing in comprehensive, youth-centered care and education offers a proven way forward. Some of the most powerful work is already underway at the local level. Organizations like CHOICE, Teen Health Mississippi, and SisterReach are meeting young people where they are—whether through school-based clinics, peer education programs, or mobile health units that bring care directly into underserved neighborhoods. They offer confidential STI testing, distribute condoms and emergency contraception, and create judgment-free spaces for youth to ask questions and get support. Other efforts might look like hosting community conversations on healthy relationships, training teachers and youth workers on inclusive practices, or partnering with faith communities to promote safety and openness without shame. Their success isn’t just in the services provided—it’s in the trust they build, the barriers they break down, and the sense of agency they help young people reclaim.

Transforming outcomes won’t come from individual action alone. It will take public policy grounded in evidence, funding for community-driven programs, and a cultural shift that values open dialogue and bodily autonomy. Real progress comes when reproductive health is treated not as a political debate but as a public responsibility.