Ohio law requires that students be taught “venereal disease education.” This education must stress abstinence and meet other requirements similar to the federal requirements for abstinence-only programs – even though 45 percent of high school students in Ohio report already having had sex. Get the facts about the reproductive and sexual health of Ohio's young people.

Sex Education Policy

Ohio requires its students receive abstinence-only programs which closely track with the 8-point federal definition of abstinence-only education. See the Ohio statute governing sex education.

Health Outcomes

Ohio's AIDS and teen pregnancy rates are lower than rates nationwide. STI rates are higher than average.

* 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

• AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland (ATGC)
• Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio