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Our nation’s capital has among the worst statistics for sexual and reproductive health in the country. D.C. has made progress toward improved health for young people – its youth have higher rates of condom use than those in any state, and the District requires comprehensive, age-appropriate sexuality education for all students in grade school. But there is still work to be done: poverty and other social factors which adversely affect health must be redressed.
Sex Education Policy
The District of Columbia requires comprehensive sex education for all students. Students receive age-appropriate education which includes information about contraception, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), pregnancy, abortion, childbirth, sexual orientation, decision-making skills regarding parenting and sexuality, and awareness and prevention of rape and sexual assault. See D.C.'s legal statutes governing sex education
Health Outcomes
The District of Columbia has very high rates of teen pregnancy, AIDS, and STIs. D.C.’s AIDS rate is higher than that of Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York; in fact, of American cities, only Miami and Baltimore have higher AIDS rates.
Sexual Health Stats at a Glance
|
Teen Pregnancy Rate* |
Teen Birth Rate* |
Annual rate of AIDS Diagnoses (per 100,000 people) |
STI Rate+ |
% of high school students who did not use a condom at last sex |
| District of Columbia |
165 |
47.4 |
119.8 |
350.9 |
Not reported |
| National |
70 |
39.1 |
11.2 |
100.8 |
39 |
*Per 1000 young women ages 15-19
+Because of concern over recent changes in Chlamydia reporting and relative low incidence of syphilis, we used the state's gonorrhea rate as a stand-in for sexually transmitted infection rates
Advocates' Partner Organizations
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