The Worst U.S. States for Safe Sex: Why Louisiana and Mississippi Lead the Pack
A new study reveals which U.S. states are the riskiest for sexual health—and why residents in some places may want to think twice before getting busy.
If you're planning a romantic rendezvous in Louisiana, you might want to reconsider. According to a new study from Lion’s Den, the state tops the list of the riskiest places in America to have sex, thanks to sky-high STD rates and a severe lack of reproductive health access.
The study analyzed U.S. states based on key sexual health criteria, including STD prevalence, teen birth rates, sexual health resources, and reproductive rights policies. The findings expose stark regional disparities, with the South dominating the top of the risk chart.
Louisiana earned the dubious distinction of No. 1, with a staggering 795 STD cases per 100,000 people and a full abortion ban. The state also reports high teen birth and forcible rape rates, landing it a composite risk score of 98.8 out of 100.
Mississippi wasn’t far behind, claiming the No. 2 spot. The state leads the nation in teen births—26.4 per 1,000 female teenagers—and, like Louisiana, enforces a full abortion ban, making reproductive care even harder to access.
Arkansas, Alabama, and Alaska round out the top five. While Arkansas has slightly lower STD rates, it reports a troubling 72 rape cases per 100,000 residents. Alaska, meanwhile, stands out with the highest rape rate on the list—118 per 100,000—despite more liberal abortion laws.
Texas, coming in sixth, highlights another major issue: a severe shortage of sexual health clinics. The Lone Star State has just 0.4 clinics per 100,000 residents, the lowest in the nation, compounding risks for its large population.
Pete Potenzini, Marketing Director at Lion’s Den, summed up the crisis: “Southern states face a sexual health crisis where residents are three times more likely to contract an STD compared to New England states. Limited healthcare access creates dangerous sexual health deserts.”
The study highlights significant differences in sexual health risks across the U.S., with some states reporting notably higher STD rates, limited healthcare access, and stricter reproductive laws.
