Panel Discussion

While studies with the capacity to establish population-based estimates of the sexual health behaviors of the U.S. population have been few and far between, the data provided by studies of this nature have the potential to provide invaluable rates and other insights to drive the nation’s policies and programs related to sexual health. In 2009, researchers from the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University conducted a comprehensive assessment of sexual behaviors, condom use, and other sexual health indicators among both adult and adolescent Americans. Using population-based sampling, data were collected from 5,865 individuals aged 14 – 107. During this session, researchers will provide an overview of the findings which offer important insights into the sexual behaviors and sexual health promoting behaviors of the American population. Specific topics to be discussed include: 1. Trends in the sexual behaviors of adult women, 2. Men’s sexual behaviors across the lifespan, 3. The sexual behaviors and sexual health practices of adolescents, and 4. New baseline rates for condom use for the U.S. population

Session Objectives: After participating in this session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the current trends in the rates of sexual behaviors across the lifespan for adult women in the United States. 2. Describe contemporary trends in the rates of sexual behaviors across the lifespan for adult men in the United States. 3. Describe the sexual health practices and sexual behaviors of American adolescents. 4. Describe current rates of condom use for different ethnic, gender, and age groups of the U.S. population.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)