Enjoy sex like you used to
Written by Lauren Ward
Research shows that comprehensive sex education reduces teen birth rates and sexually transmitted infections, improving outcomes for young people. However, the implementation of sex education is left to the states, causing vast differences in what adolescents learn (and don’t learn) about sex.
We set out to find the states providing the most comprehensive curriculum and services inside schools. We looked at the following data sets to rank each state.
- Comprehensive curriculum in schools: We found the number of teachers in each state that teach highschoolers three core sexual health topics on how to access reliable health information, condoms, and preventative care related to sexual and reproductive health.
- Professional development for health education teachers: States vary widely in how much teachers are supported in learning the best instructional strategies for sex education. We looked at CDC data of health teachers who took workshops, continuing education, or any other kind of development related to sexual health education instruction best practices.
- In-school referrals for sexual health services: Referral programs are designed to connect students with community health providers in order to increase access to contraception services, STD testing, and counseling services.
- State mandates: We scored each state on its mandates for sexual and HIV education as well as the quality of curriculum requirements.
Key Findings
- The states with the most comprehensive sexual education were overwhelmingly concentrated in New England and the West Coast, with a few exceptions like New Mexico and Maryland.
- Connecticut, Kentucky, and North Dakota stand out for providing professional development opportunities for health teachers.
10 States With the Most Comprehensive Sexual Health Education
1. Rhode Island and California (tied)
5. Vermont and Massachusetts (tied)
Sexual Health Education by State: Trends and Insights
We looked at several data categories based on how schools support sexual health education, what referrals are offered, and what kind of mandates are enforced. Here’s a look at the top states in each individual category.
States with the highest percentage of teaching all three topics related to sexual health services
These topics identified by the CDC include: how to access valid and reliable health information, products, and services; how to obtain condoms; and reproductive and sexual health preventive care, such as screenings and immunizations.
States with the most sex ed teacher professional development
The CDC surveyed health teachers who took workshops, continuing education, or any other kind of development within the last two years related to sexual health education instruction best practices. Here’s which states had the most professional development for sex ed teachers.
States with the highest percentage of schools providing referrals for sexual health services
School referrals for sexual health services could include HIV testing, STD testing, pregnancy testing, access to condoms and lubricant, access to other contraceptives, and HPV vaccine administration.
States with the most comprehensive sexual health education mandates
State sex ed mandates vary widely, so we scored each one on whether or not sex ed and HIV ed are required, as well as additional characteristics that ensure quality, comprehensive curriculum is presented within schools.
- Maine
- Maryland
- New Hampshire
- Connecticut
- Kentucky
- North Dakota
- Delaware
- Vermont
- New York
- California and Rhode Island (tied)
- New Jersey, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington (tied)
- Hawaii, Maine, and North Carolina (tied)
Sex Ed in the U.S.: 50 States Ranked
1. Rhode Island and California (tied)
5. Massachusetts and Vermont (tied)
22. Iowa and Ohio (tied)
24. North Dakota and Utah (tied)
34. Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Virginia (tied)
39. New York and Texas (tied)
41. Indiana and Oklahoma (tied)
46. Alaska and Idaho (tied)
Note: Arkansas, South Dakota, and Wyoming had no reporting available. Based on data collected in October 2024. Get the data.
Read up before getting down
Data & Methodology
We based our rankings on data collected within two categories: in-school education and services and state mandates.
Points were assigned based on the percentage of schools in the state providing the following in-school sexual health education and services:
Points were also given for characteristics of state sex ed mandates (Guttmacher Institute):
Both overall categories were ranked by the total number of points, then averaged to find the final placement on our list. That gives equal weight to how sex ed is approached at the state level and within individual schools.
- Percent of teachers that taught all three sexual health services topics in high school: how to access valid and reliable health information, products, and services related to HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy; how to obtain condoms; and preventive care such as screenings and immunizations (CDC School Health Profiles Explorer).
- Percent of health teachers who received professional development within the last two years on using a variety of effective instructional strategies to deliver sexual health education (CDC School Health Profiles Explorer).
- Schools that provide referrals for sexual health services (CDC School Health Profiles Explorer).
- Whether or not sexual education and HIV education are mandated
- Whether or not sexual education curriculum must be: medically accurate, age appropriate, culturally appropriate and unbiased, cannot promote religion
Sexual Education Resources
If you’re looking for quality sex education for yourself or your teen, check out the following resources that can be accessed from anywhere.
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9 Sources
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at blog@forsaluvia.co!
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
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- Expert-backed content: Online platforms give so much access to information on sex, but it’s important to distinguish between what’s accurate and what’s not. When looking for online resources, look for content that is science- and expert-backed that’s reviewed by medical professionals to ensure accuracy.
- Community health clinics: Community health organizations are led by medical professionals and offer information available both online and in person. They’re also a great resource for getting access to sexual health services such as contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections.
- Primary care physician: It’s important to find a primary care physician you can trust and feel comfortable asking questions to. As teens get older, it’s common practice for parents to leave the room for at least part of the well-check appointment so any sensitive questions and concerns can be addressed. Building a comfortable relationship with your PCP in which you have open conversations about sexual health can help increase comfort levels if you’re ever experiencing any issues down the road, like premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction. Having an expert you can trust and feel comfortable talking to can go a long way.
- Mark, N, et al. More comprehensive sex education reduced teen births. (2022). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8872707/
- Chin, H. et al. The effectiveness of group-based comprehensive risk-reduction and abstinence education interventions. (2012). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22341164/
- Sexual Health Services. (2023). https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/whatworks/what-works-sexual-health-services.htm#:~:text=What%20are%20the%20benefits%20of,and%20declines%20in%20unintended%20pregnancy.
- Wang, T. et al. The Effects of School-Based Condom Availability Programs on Condom Acquisition, Use and Sexual Behavior. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5758683/
- School Health Profiles Explorer. Taught All 3 Sexual Health Services Topics in Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12. (2022). https://profiles-explorer.cdc.gov/#/table/?questionId=SN88&LocationAbbr=ALL&year=2022
- School Health Profiles Explorer. Received Professional Development On Topics Related To Teaching Sexual Health. (2022). https://profiles-explorer.cdc.gov/#/table/?questionId=SN70&LocationAbbr=ALL&subQuestionId=T_Q23_4&year=2022
- School Health Profiles Explorer. Provide Referrals For Sexual Health Services To Students. (2022). https://profiles-explorer.cdc.gov/#/table/?questionId=SN72&LocationAbbr=ALL&year=2022
- State Laws and Policies. Sex and HIV Education. (2023). https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/sex-and-hiv-education
- Wang, T. et al. The Effects of School-Based Condom Availability Programs on Condom Acquisition, Use and Sexual Behavior. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5758683/