In Brief: Rationale for School-Based HIV/STD Prevention for Youth at Disproportionate Risk (YDR)
Young people who share certain demographic characteristics are disproportionately affected by HIV infection and other STD. Specifically —
- Among adolescent males aged 13–19 years, approximately 91% of diagnosed HIV infections in 2010 were among young men who have sex with men (YMSM).
- Youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) are more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience early sexual debut, have more lifetime and recent sex partners, engage in unprotected sexual intercourse, and use alcohol or other drugs prior to last sexual intercourse.
- 1.5 to 2 million youth per year are homeless or have run away from home. Homeless youth are highly likely to experience early sexual debut, have multiple sex partners, engage in unprotected sexual intercourse, and use alcohol or other drugs prior to sex resulting in a high risk of acquiring HIV.
- Among students who are sexually active, alternative school students are less likely to have used a condom during sexual intercourse and are nearly twice as likely to use alcohol or drugs prior to sexual intercourse compared to mainstream high school students.
Developing or strengthening efforts for addressing the health needs of LGBT youth, homeless youth, or youth in alternative school settings is a priority in this FOA. Funded sites should choose specific evidence-informed practices on the basis of their particular needs, but might include strategies such as identifying LGBT-friendly health providers; developing guidance to link homeless students to necessary health and social services; and implementing evidence-based interventions that have been designed for use in alternative school settings, such as All4You!
Further information on the rationale for school-based HIV/STD prevention for youth at disproportionate risk, including a comprehensive summary (with text references and related FOA definitions), is available at YDR Rationale [pdf 471K].
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