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May 18, 2023 · Well-designed and well-delivered sexuality education programmes support positive decision-making around sexual health. Evidence shows that young people are more likely to initiate sexual activity later – and when they do have sex, to practice safer sex – when they are better informed about sexuality, sexual relations and their rights.
- International technical guidance on sexuality education
Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) plays a central role...
- International technical guidance on sexuality education
Nov 16, 2023 · Sexuality education leads to learners delaying the age of sexual initiation, increasing the use of condoms and other contraceptives when they are sexually active, increasing their knowledge about their bodies and relationships, decreasing their risk-taking, and decreasing the frequency of unprotected sex.
- Overview
- What is sexual health education?
- How can schools deliver sexual health education?
- What are the benefits of delivering sexual health education to students?
- What does delivering sexual health education look like in action?
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- References
CDC’s What Works In Schools Program improves the health and well-being of middle and high school students by:
•Improving health education,
•Connecting young people to the health services they need, and
•Making school environments safer and more supportive.
Sexual health education should be consistent with scientific research and best practices; reflect the diversity of student experiences and identities; and align with school, family, and community priorities.
Quality sexual health education programs teach students how to:1
•Analyze family, peer, and media influences that impact health
•Access valid and reliable health information, products, and services (e.g., STI/HIV testing)
•Communicate with family, peers, and teachers about issues that affect health
•Make informed and thoughtful decisions about their health
•Take responsibility for themselves and others to improve their health.
*High-risk substance use is any use by adolescents of substances with a high risk of adverse outcomes (i.e., injury, criminal justice involvement, school dropout, loss of life). This includes misuse of prescription drugs, use of illicit drugs (i.e., cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, inhalants, hallucinogens, or ecstasy), and use of injection drugs...
Schools can put these four elements in place to support sex ed.
•Implement policies that foster supportive environments for sexual health education.
•Use health content that is medically accurate, developmentally appropriate, culturally inclusive, and grounded in science.
•Equip staff with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver sexual health education.
Check out CDC’s tools and resources below to develop, select, or revise SHE curricula.
•Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT), Module 6: Sexual Health [PDF – 70 pages]. This module within CDC’s HECAT includes the knowledge, skills, and health behavior outcomes specifically aligned to sexual health education. School and community leaders can use this module to develop, select, or revise SHE curricula and instruction.
1.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool, 2021, Atlanta: CDC; 2021.
2.Goldfarb, E. S., & Lieberman, L. D. (2021). Three decades of research: The case for comprehensive sex education. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68(1), 13-27.
3.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016). Characteristics of an Effective Health Education Curriculum.
4.Pampati, S., Johns, M. M., Szucs, L. E., Bishop, M. D., Mallory, A. B., Barrios, L. C., & Russell, S. T. (2021). Sexual and gender minority youth and sexual health education: A systematic mapping review of the literature. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68(6), 1040-1052.
5.Szucs, L. E., Demissie, Z., Steiner, R. J., Brener, N. D., Lindberg, L., Young, E., & Rasberry, C. N. (2023). Trends in the teaching of sexual and reproductive health topics and skills in required courses in secondary schools, in 38 US states between 2008 and 2018. Health Education Research, 38(1), 84-94.
6.Coyle, K., Anderson, P., Laris, B. A., Barrett, M., Unti, T., & Baumler, E. (2021). A group randomized trial evaluating high school FLASH, a comprehensive sexual health curriculum. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68(4), 686-695.
This is as true for comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) as for any other subject on the school timetable. While there has been considerable progress globally on the development, endorsement and implementation of CSE in recent years, significant gaps remain (UNESCO et al., 2021).
Dec 23, 2022 · Effective sexuality education must take place in a safe environment, where young people are comfortable, their privacy is respected, they are protected from harassment, and the school atmosphere reflects the principles of the content. 17 The guideline describes the characteristics of an effective curriculum, guidelines for designing and ...
Substantial evidence supports sex education beginning in elementary school, that is scaffolded and of longer duration, as well as LGBTQ–inclusive education across the school curriculum and a social justice approach to healthy sexuality.
Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) plays a central role in the preparation of young people for a safe, productive, fulfilling life in a world where HIV and AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancies, gender-based violence (GBV) and gender inequality still pose serious risks to their well-being.
