174 Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health Approximately

one-half of all new HIV infections in the Unit-ed States occur among persons younger than 25.1 Nearly four million new sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases each year occur among adolescents.2 Minority youth are disproportionately affected by STIs: For example, as of 2001, 71 % of AIDS cases reported among 13–19-year-olds were among black and Hispanic youth, although blacks and His-panics make up only 30 % of that age-group.3 Teenagers who attend alternative high schools are at in-creased risk for engaging in risky sexual behaviors com-pared with students who attend regular high schools. Students are admitted to alternative high schools for a variety of reasons, such as poor academic performance or school attendance, disruptive behavior, substance abuse, pregnancy or contact with the juvenile justice system. Approximatel