# Social determinants of sexual health among Latinx adolescents and emerging adults in an agricultural community

> **NIH NIH R01** · RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE · 2024 · $591,844

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The highest teen birth rates in California are primarily in Latinx populations in the rural agricultural coastal
and central valley regions where distinct socioeconomic and social factors play a role in adolescent well-
being. These areas also constitute the core population growth areas in California. Nationally, sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) have increased substantially, with rates in California reaching epidemic levels
that exceed national rates. Half of these infections occur among youth aged 15 to 24. Intervening on
underlying social determinants of sexual health is central to addressing the persistently high rates of
unintended pregnancy and rising STI incidence in Latinx youth. Much of the research guiding sexual health
intervention approaches for US youth has been conducted in large urban areas, in which social determinants
such as concentrated disadvantage and neighborhood social cohesion have been shown to affect
adolescent health. However, understanding the unique underlying contexts that contribute to health
disparities among rural Latinx populations is vital to achieving substantive improvements in the health of
adolescents and young adults. The overarching goal of this study is to identify social environment influences
on sexual health among Latinx youth residing in an agricultural community as they transition from
adolescence to emerging adulthood (ages 18 to 21). We will accomplish this by extending a prospective
cohort study of approximately 600 Latinx youth recruited and followed since 8th grade (age 13), with high
retention (92% at 2 years). We propose to conduct four additional annual waves of follow-up, including
quantitative data collection, biological testing for STIs and pregnancy, and in-depth interviews. The Specific
Aims are: Aim 1. Examine the effects of social determinants in adolescence on unintended pregnancy,
STIs, contraceptive use, and use of reproductive health care services during the period of emerging
adulthood; Aim 2. Use a mixed methods approach to identify mediators of the effects of social determinants
on sexual health outcomes to elucidate modifiable targets for intervention in emerging adulthood; and Aim 3.
Estimate population intervention effects of social determinants and mediators on sexual health outcomes in
emerging adulthood. Our established infrastructure, strong community-engaged partnerships, and existing
cohort position us for efficient initiation, rigorous implementation, and synthesis of results across a total of
eight waves of follow-up. This will allow us to examine the timing and cumulative effects of social
determinants of sexual health, identify mediators, and determine the most impactful intervention targets to
decrease unintended pregnancy and STIs during the time when the highest rates occur. The focus on
emerging adulthood constitutes a high priority and often neglected developmental period, with opportunities
to address substantial gaps in understan...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10883694
- **Project number:** 5R01HD075787-08
- **Recipient organization:** RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** ALEXANDRA M MINNIS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $591,844
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-08-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10883694

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10883694, Social determinants of sexual health among Latinx adolescents and emerging adults in an agricultural community (5R01HD075787-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10883694. Licensed CC0.

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