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Increase the proportion of adolescents who have never had sex — FP‑04

Status: Little or no detectable change

  
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Little or no detectable change

Most Recent Data:
74.6 percent (2017-19)

Target:
80.8 percent

Desired Direction:
Increase desired

Baseline:
76.7 percent of adolescents aged 15 to 17 years had never had sexual intercourse as reported in 2015-17

Increase the proportion of adolescents who have never had sexual intercourse

Target-Setting Method
Minimal statistical significance

Summary

Adolescents who have sex at a younger age are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors in the future. They’re also more likely to get a sexually transmitted infection — and to get pregnant. Interventions like mentoring and comprehensive sex education programs may help keep adolescents from having sex.