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Addressing Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Disparities: Determinants, Effectiveness, and Implementation

A Special Issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601) belonging to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 October 2026 | Viewed by 4081

Editors

Dr. Katherine G. Merrill

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Interests: sexual and reproductive health; implementation science; community-engaged research; adolescents; families; mixed methods; mental health; violence
Dr. Natasha Crooks

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, 845 S Damen, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Interests: black girls; families; sexual and reproductive health; prevention

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue addresses inequities in sexual and reproductive health among adolescents (aged 10–24 years). Disparities can relate to race and ethnicity, socioeconomics, gender, geography, disability, or sexual orientation. We seek manuscripts that advance our understanding of determinants or factors affecting these disparities across the individual, family, community, and society levels. We also seek manuscripts that present findings from intervention adaptation, development, and delivery to strengthen our knowledge of what works to address these disparities and how implementation science can support these efforts. The inclusion of both effectiveness and implementation aims or outcomes is encouraged but not required. A broad range of sexual and reproductive health outcomes will be considered, such as risky sexual behavior, contraception, pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections, sexual and gender-based violence, transactional sex, and service access. We are interested in contributions that highlight education and advocacy for adolescents' sexual freedom and address the impact of stigma and discrimination on their sexual and reproductive health. Approaches to increase access to sexual and reproductive health resources, normalize sex positivity, and empower adolescents to gain autonomy over their sexual decisions are invited.

Dr. Katherine G. Merrill
Dr. Natasha Crooks
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sexual health
  • reproductive health
  • health disparities
  • intervention
  • implementation science
  • adolescent
  • health services

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 454 KB  
Article
Mental Health Burden and Developmental Timing of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency in Adolescents and Young Adult Females: A Retrospective Cohort Study
by Faith Summersett Williams, Isabella Zaniletti, Lindsay F. Schwartz, Robert Garofalo, Lisa M. Kuhns, Karin Felsher, Yiyang Liu and Melissa Simon
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(9), 1145; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23091145 - 2 Sep 2026
Viewed by 336
Abstract
POI and EOI are rare but impactful conditions among adolescents and young adults (AYAs). Little is known about the timing and incidence of mental health (MH) conditions among AYAs diagnosed with POI/EOI. Data were collected using MarketScan Medicaid administrative claims among females aged [...] Read more.
POI and EOI are rare but impactful conditions among adolescents and young adults (AYAs). Little is known about the timing and incidence of mental health (MH) conditions among AYAs diagnosed with POI/EOI. Data were collected using MarketScan Medicaid administrative claims among females aged 12–25 with POI/EOI. Merative™ MarketScan® Research Databases are large, de-identified U.S. administrative healthcare claims databases that contain individual-level information on enrollment, inpatient and outpatient medical services, and outpatient prescription drug claims. The databases include commercially insured individuals, Medicare beneficiaries with employer-sponsored supplemental coverage, and selected Medicaid populations. Claims are linked longitudinally using unique encrypted patient identifiers, allowing individuals to be followed over time across healthcare settings. In addition to healthcare utilization, the databases include demographic characteristics, diagnosis and procedure codes, dates of service, and payment information, making them well suited for epidemiologic, health services, and outcomes research. We characterized prevalence and timing of MH diagnoses, examined MH subtypes, and estimated new-onset MH among those without prior MH. Comparisons were made to demographically matched controls without POI/EOI (matched on age and calendar time) and to diagnosis-anchored comparator groups. Among 859 AYAs with POI/EOI, 53.9% had any MH diagnosis, including 32.9% with MH diagnoses before and after POI/EOI diagnosis and 11.9% with new-onset MH after POI/EOI diagnosis. Of all anxiety disorders, 60.1% were present pre- and post-diagnosis, while 25.4% were new-onset after diagnosis. Depressive disorders showed a similar pattern, with 58.1% being pre- and post-diagnosis MH group and 22.3% being new-onset. In total, 49.4% of individuals with trauma-related disorders had the diagnosis both before and after POI/EOI diagnosis, while 30.1% had it as a new-onset. In adjusted models, POI/EOI was associated with increased odds of MH diagnoses after diagnosis (aOR ~2.1, 95% CI ~1.4–3.1). Prior MH diagnoses were the strongest predictor of MH after diagnosis (aOR ~12.1). AYAs with POI/EOI experience substantial MH burden, with elevated risk of new-onset MH conditions following diagnosis. Findings highlight the importance of early MH screening and integrated care models for AYAs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Disparities: Determinants, Effectiveness, and Implementation)
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24 pages, 431 KB  
Article
‘We Need More Interventions Led by Black People’: Black Women Facilitators’ Perspectives on Adapting a Sexual Health Intervention for Young Black Women in Canada
by Natasha A. Darko, Ciann L. Wilson, Maria Brisbane, Nicole Alexander and Valerie Kuye
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(9), 1102; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23091102 - 25 Aug 2026
Viewed by 660
Abstract
This paper is presented by a collective of Black women who have devoted years to sexual health as educators, programmers and facilitators. It offers an insider perspective on their experiences facilitating the pilot of the Sista2Sista project, a sexual health intervention adapted to [...] Read more.
This paper is presented by a collective of Black women who have devoted years to sexual health as educators, programmers and facilitators. It offers an insider perspective on their experiences facilitating the pilot of the Sista2Sista project, a sexual health intervention adapted to the Canadian context for young Black women ages 15–29. The post-pilot focus groups were conducted with stakeholders and facilitators to gather feedback on the intervention. This approach centers the perspectives of facilitators and stakeholders in implementing sexual health programs for Black youth. Findings show that the Sista2Sista pilot benefited from Black women facilitators, whose positionality fostered a culturally affirming space for young Black women. Additionally, the findings highlight gaps in race-based data and sexual health programming for Black youth in Ontario specifically, and Canada more broadly. Participants highlighted the need for holistic, relevant and sustainably funded interventions that address sexual health alongside pleasure, body image and systemic barriers, such as anti-Black racism. Overall, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of sexual health for young Black women by centring the lived experiences of Black women facilitators who informed the pilot intervention while advocating for contextually relevant approaches that reflect the realities of Black communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Disparities: Determinants, Effectiveness, and Implementation)
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15 pages, 1184 KB  
Article
Protective Relationships, Adultification, and Sexual Risk Among Black Adolescent Girls: Examining Maternal, Paternal, Peer, and Community Influences
by Natasha Crooks, Nyssa Snow Hill, Abigail Bushnell, Rabiatu Barrie, Stephanie Castelin and Gina Sissoko
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(8), 1039; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23081039 - 10 Aug 2026
Viewed by 675
Abstract
The adultification of Black adolescent girls, viewing them as less innocent and more adult-like, has implications for their sexual and psychological well-being. Adultification creates bias, which hyper-sexualizes Black girls, increasing vulnerability to early sexual activity, sexual abuse, and lack of support, while hindering [...] Read more.
The adultification of Black adolescent girls, viewing them as less innocent and more adult-like, has implications for their sexual and psychological well-being. Adultification creates bias, which hyper-sexualizes Black girls, increasing vulnerability to early sexual activity, sexual abuse, and lack of support, while hindering their ability to seek protection. However, protection from parents, peers, and communities may play a critical role in mitigating this risk for Black girls. The current study examined the role of maternal, paternal, peer friendships, and communal protective factors in mediating the association between adultification and sexual risk among Black girls. Girls’ responses (N = 575), 9–18 years old, were analyzed. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to estimate the mediating effects of protective factors (mother, father, friendship, and communal) on adultification and sexual risk. In separate mediation models, paternal relationships and friendship partially mediated the association between adultification and sexual risk. However, in a parallel mediation model that simultaneously examined maternal and paternal relationships, friendship, and community protection, friendship emerged as the only significant indirect pathway. Greater adultification was associated with stronger peer friendship, which in turn was associated with greater sexual risk. Programs, policies, and interventions addressing the sexual health of Black girls should consider how peer relationships shape responses to adultification and promote peer environments that support healthy sexual development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Disparities: Determinants, Effectiveness, and Implementation)
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Review

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17 pages, 544 KB  
Review
Colorism and Sexual Health: A Rapid Review
by Gina Diagou Sissoko, Ariana Jaspal, Sofia Walters and Jasmine Abrams
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(7), 916; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23070916 - 17 Jul 2026
Viewed by 907
Abstract
Colorism is a skin-tone stratification system that privileges proximity to Eurocentric features and disadvantages darker skin tones and Afrocentric features. Although colorism is increasingly recognized as a gendered social determinant of health, its role in shaping sexual health among Black and Brown girls [...] Read more.
Colorism is a skin-tone stratification system that privileges proximity to Eurocentric features and disadvantages darker skin tones and Afrocentric features. Although colorism is increasingly recognized as a gendered social determinant of health, its role in shaping sexual health among Black and Brown girls and women remains understudied. This rapid review synthesized peer-reviewed empirical evidence on the relationship between colorism, skin tone, and sexual health outcomes among girls and women. Searches were conducted in PsycINFO and PubMed between April and May 2026. After removing duplicates, 114 unique records were screened in Covidence, yielding eight eligible studies. Five studies were quantitative, two were qualitative, and one was mixed methods. The included studies were synthesized narratively due to heterogeneity in study design, measurement, and outcomes. Findings suggest that colorism is associated with sexual risk behaviors, sexual agency and desirability, sexual development, and HIV-related sexual functioning. Across studies, colorism appeared to shape sexual health through three interrelated pathways: internalization and self-esteem, colorist desirability hierarchies that influence sexual agency and relationship dynamics, and differential sexualization experiences that shape girls’ sexual development and vulnerability across the life course. One study also highlighted parental support as a potential protective factor. Collectively, the findings position colorism as a potentially important social determinant of sexual health and underscore the need to integrate colorism into future sexual health research, prevention, and intervention frameworks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Disparities: Determinants, Effectiveness, and Implementation)
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Other

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12 pages, 276 KB  
Protocol
Assessing Teenage Girls’ Awareness of the Health Risks of Illegal Abortion: A Case Study Protocol in Lusikisiki
by Nomzamo Mashumi, Eric Maimela, Nomfuneko Sithole, Thokoe Vincent Makola, Wandile Innocent Dhlamini and Ntiyiso Vinny Khosa
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(7), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23070931 - 21 Jul 2026
Viewed by 641
Abstract
Illegal abortion remains a significant public health challenge globally, particularly among adolescent girls who often lack adequate reproductive health information, access to healthcare services, and social support. Despite South Africa’s progressive abortion legislation, teenage girls in rural communities like Lusikisiki still face barriers [...] Read more.
Illegal abortion remains a significant public health challenge globally, particularly among adolescent girls who often lack adequate reproductive health information, access to healthcare services, and social support. Despite South Africa’s progressive abortion legislation, teenage girls in rural communities like Lusikisiki still face barriers to accessing safe reproductive health services due to socio-cultural stigma, misinformation, and limited youth-friendly services, increasing the risk of unsafe abortion and related health complications. This paper outlines a protocol for a proposed qualitative case study that aims to assess the awareness of teenage girls in Lusikisiki regarding the health risks associated with illegal abortion, explore their sources of information, identify factors influencing their awareness, and propose strategies to reduce unsafe abortion. A qualitative case study design guided by an interpretive paradigm will be used to explore the perceptions and experiences of teenage girls. A purposive sample of 25 participants aged 13–19 years will be recruited from Village Clinic, Bambisana Hospital, and St Elizabeth Regional Hospital. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis supported by NVivo software. The anticipated findings are expected to provide context-specific insights to support improved reproductive health education and adolescent-friendly healthcare services in rural communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Disparities: Determinants, Effectiveness, and Implementation)
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