|
Although tens of thousands of teenagers in Louisiana have already had sex, the state requires that schools which choose to teach sex ed must use abstinence-only programs. Louisiana has among the highest AIDS and STI (sexually transmitted infection) rates in the nation, including the fourth highest AIDS rate, highest syphilis rate and third-highest gonorrhea rate.
Sex Education Policy
Louisiana does not require sex education for its students. But if schools choose to offer sex ed, Louisiana requires that programs closely track with the 8-point federal definition of abstinence-only education. See the Louisiana statute governing sex education.
Health Outcomes
Compared to nationwide rates, Louisiana has an average teen pregnancy rate, but among the highest AIDS and STI 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 |
| Louisiana |
70 |
52.7 |
19.4 |
198.4 |
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
|
