Initiating sexual intercourse early (by age 13–14) increases risk for STDs, unintended pregnancies, and HIV/AIDS (Meshke et al. 2000). Early sexual debut is often accompanied by the early initiation of tobacco and alcohol/drug use, which compounds youth risk (Kotchick et al. 2001). For example, youth who initiate cigarette smoking early (by age 11) are at elevated risk for carrying weapons in adolescence, and for sustained and heavy smoking in adulthood (DuRant et al. 1999; Tucker et al. 2002).
