Evaluating, implementing, and supporting sexual health programming for young adults at The University of Utah

honors thesisCollege of Social & Behavioral ScienceHealth Society & PolicyProgramJessica SandersSex, sexuality, and reproduction are intimately tied to what it means to be human. The field of sexual and reproductive health explores the nuances and connections between intimacy, pregnancy, and birth with economic, social, and political power. Even though the field has made remarkable strides, stigma and shame still surround these most intimate of experiences. In a time where education about sexual wellness varies greatly based on zip code (Kantor & Lindberg, 2019), research finds regional disparities surrounding access to holistic care for preventative treatment, contraception, fertility, and pregnancy. Most vulnerable are young adults who have the highest risk of unintended pregnancy and increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across reproductive age groups (Kost, 2017) (Institute, 2019). Considering differing definitions surrounding what timeframe constitutes adolescence (many include people aged 10 to 25), I preface that for the duration of my thesis I will be focusing on young adults aged 18 to 25(Moran, 2000). Considering the disparities in how young people access ageappropriate, medically accurate, comprehensive sex education, colleges may serve as an essential point of education to ensure appropriate knowledge and nurture sexual wellness behaviors that continue throughout the lifetime. My thesis seeks to investigate the following questions surrounding sexual wellness during young adulthood: What programs are currently available to support adolescents in college during their transition to early adulthood? Similarly, what are the impacts of innovative programs like no-cost contraceptive clinics and free condom delivery services on the college experiences of adolescents