Utah’s Sexual Health Climate for Youth
Risk-taking behaviors among youth have been well studied. One of the ways it has been studied is through the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which is administered bi-annually both nationally and in Utah to high school-aged students (9th-12th grades). However, in Utah the survey does not include the standard sexual behavior questions asked in other states that are needed for Utah policy makers and program developers to have a good understanding of the trends and changes in sexual behaviors of youth. This is especially important because research has shown that youth who are educated on the complexities of sex and have adequate resources to meet their sexual needs are more likely to have positive sexual health outcomes.
This website helps to fill gaps in data about Utah youth behaviors. Here you will find the results of our Utah College Sexual Behavior Survey and can learn about what we are doing in communities across Utah in hopes to better meet the sexual health programming and resource needs of Utah youth.
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Current Research Team Members
Cris Meier
Assistant Professor | Extension Community Resource and Economic Development Specialist
Julie Gast
Professor, Director of the Health Education and Promotion, Master of Public Health
Demi Culianos
Graduate Student | Sociobehavioral Epidemiology Program
Melissa Ferguson
Doctoral Student in Human Development and Family Studies
Lily Ward
Research Assistant
Brittany Hansen
Undergraduate Research Assistant