This report, created by the University of Minnesota’s Healthy Youth Development – Prevention Research Center (HYD-PRC),  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 report provides recommendations of responses from the issues outlined.

We are very proud of MCH Program alumna Jill Farris (MPH 2005) and student Jessie Austin (MPH 2019) for their major contributions to the report!