The Continuing Role of Schools in HIV Prevention and Education

Introduction 

Schools have been playing an increasingly critical role in HIV prevention efforts. While education policymakers, administrators, and practitioners have faced many challenges along the way, their efforts appear to be making a difference. Data from the 1999 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) indicate that 90.6% of the nation’s high school students (grades 9-12) have received HIV/AIDS prevention education in school. At the same time, YRBS data show a decline in the number of students who have ever been sexually active. Among young people who are sexually active, there has been an increase in condom use and a decrease in the number of sexual partners. Finally, other studies indicate that there has been an increase in the number of students who are delaying the onset of sexual activity.