Most face these risks with too little factual information, too little guidance about sexual responsibility, and too little access to health care. Meeting young adults' diverse needs challenges parents, communities, health care providers, and educators. Despite urgent needs, program efforts have been slight and slowed by controversy. One-fifth of world population is between ages 10 and 19. Young people today marry later, and more start sex before marriage.
Pregnancy puts young women's health at risk, through childbearing or unsafe abortion.
Increasingly, early parenthood means lost education as well, with lifelong loss of earnings. Half of those infected with AIDS-causing HIV are under age 25. The help that young adults need to avoid these risks varies. Some young people are not yet sexually active. They need support and skills to postpone starting sex.