WHO's 10 Facts on Adolescent Health include 2 on Adolescent Reproductive & Sexual Health

Two facts on the WHO's 10 Facts on Adolescent Health cover two major sexual and reproductive health issues that continue to plague the health of young people around the globe:

2. HIV and Young People Young people aged 15-24 accounted for an estimated 45% of new HIV infections worldwide in 2007. They need to know how to protect themselves from HIV and have the means to do so. Better access to testing and counselling will inform young people about their HIV status, help them get the care they need, and avoid further spread of the virus.

3. Early Pregnancy and Childbirth About 16 million girls aged 15 to 19 give birth every year - roughly 11% of all births worldwide. The vast majority of births to adolescents occur in developing countries. The risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes is much higher for adolescents than for older women. Laws and community actions that support a minimum age for marriage, as well as better access to contraception, can decrease too-early pregnancies.