Medical Institute

The Medical Institute is the leading organization in the United States studying the science of sexual behavior in adolescents and young adults, as well as the impact of this behavior on the spread of sexually transmitted infections and the emotional and physical implications. Founded in 1992 by Dr. Joe S. McIlhaney, Jr., the organization provides medically accurate, research-based sexual health information to diverse audiences through conferences, trainings, brochures, videos, and books. In addition, the Medical Institute has developed various programs and materials aimed at promoting healthy sexual behavior and preventing STIs, including the "Paso a Paso – Building Healthy Families" project, the "Building Family Connections" parenting curriculum, and the STD Wizard web-based interface. The organization also conducts research on the impact of sexual imagery in the media on adolescent behavior and has developed guidelines for sexual health education in K-12 schools and medical schools.