Oklahoma has one of the highest instances of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the country, and a sizable portion affects teens. 

In 2021 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s data showed nearly half of all new STI infections occur among the nation’s youth, with 45.5% of all new STI cases being among young people ages 15-24 in 2018.

STIs can have an adverse impact on adolescents mental and physical health. The negative impact of STIs on mental health may come from factors such as stigma, anxiety, and concerns about relationships.

Oklahoma struggles with other STIs, including chlamydia. 1.84% of women between the ages of 15-44 have chlamydia, ranking Oklahoma 41 out of 50 states.

STI rates are on the rise in the US. Monitoring STI rates in the teen population helps us to understand the prevalence of infections and design targeted prevention and education programs to help reduce spread. High STI rates among adolescents underscores the importance of accessible, comprehensive, and confidential healthcare services for those aged 15-19. Regular testing leads to early detection and timely treatment, which is key to preventing spread and getting ahead of potential complications. 

Physically, untreated STIs can lead to serious health complications, such as infertility and increased vulnerability to other infections. For example, Oklahoma ranks 48 out of the 50 states for reception of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. A largely preventable disease which is linked to cervical cancer. This is due to stigma around the vaccine, as some believe that being vaccinated against STIs will encourage risky sexual behaviors. 

To combat the spread of STIs, comprehensive adolescent sex education is essential, particularly about the importance of condoms in STI prevention.

Oklahoma needs a comprehensive and medically accurate sex education curriculum. Research shows that abstinence-only curricula does not meet the fundamental needs of youth who have already engaged in sexual activity or the knowledge of tactics of how to refuse sex from unwanted sexual advances.

Teens need to be able to access birth control and barrier methods to make wise decisions before having sex (See Teen Birth Rate). Title X (“Title Ten”) is a federal grant for clinics to provide family planning services like contraception, STI testing, and STI treatment regardless of ability to pay, citizenship, or parental permission.