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The Effects of State‐Mandated Abstinence‐Based Sex Education on Teen Health Outcomes

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  • Jillian B. Carr
  • Analisa Packham

Abstract

In 2011, the USA had the second highest teen birth rate of any developed nation, according to the World Bank, . In an effort to lower teen pregnancy rates, several states have enacted policies requiring abstinence‐based sex education. In this study, we utilize a difference‐in‐differences research design to analyze the causal effects of state‐level sex education policies from 2000–2011 on various teen sexual health outcomes. We find that state‐level abstinence education mandates have no effect on teen birth rates or abortion rates, although we find that state‐level policies may affect teen sexually transmitted disease rates in some states. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Jillian B. Carr & Analisa Packham, 2017. "The Effects of State‐Mandated Abstinence‐Based Sex Education on Teen Health Outcomes," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(4), pages 403-420, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:26:y:2017:i:4:p:403-420
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.3315
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    1. Zuleika Ferre & Patricia Triunfo & José‐Ignacio Antón, 2023. "Subdermal contraceptive implants and repeat teenage motherhood: Evidence from a major maternity hospital‐based program in Uruguay," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(12), pages 2679-2693, December.
    2. Omar Galárraga & Jeffrey E. Harris, 2019. "Effect of an Abrupt Change in Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy on Adolescent Birth Rates in Ecuador, 2008–2017," NBER Working Papers 26044, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Jason M. Lindo & Analisa Packham, 2017. "How Much Can Expanding Access to Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives Reduce Teen Birth Rates?," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 9(3), pages 348-376, August.
    4. Lazuka, Volha & Elwert, Annika, 2023. "Life-Cycle Effects of Comprehensive Sex Education," IZA Discussion Papers 16622, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. David Paton & Stephen Bullivant & Juan Soto, 2020. "The impact of sex education mandates on teenage pregnancy: International evidence," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(7), pages 790-807, July.
    6. Rodrigo Ceni & Cecilia Parada & Ivone Perazzo & Eliana Sena, 2020. "Birth Collapse and Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive Policies," Documentos de Trabajo (working papers) 20-14, Instituto de Economía - IECON.
    7. Galárraga, Omar & Harris, Jeffrey E., 2021. "Effect of an abrupt change in sexual and reproductive health policy on teen birth rates in Ecuador, 2008–2017," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).

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