Before I state the facts, I just want to start off by saying that I’m passionate about our youth and their futures. I sometimes feel like the outlets left for our teens to talk, express and be heard aren’t being utilized in the manners needed to reach our youth and the issues/struggles they go thru on a daily. I’m making it my duty to be a source of encouragement and support in getting our teens serious about their overall health, growing into adulthood, and becoming aware of all things surrounding their lives & futures – no matter what it may be! I encourage you (both teen & adult) to educate yourself and use your voice – let’s help each other! RoDigga’s “AdoLessons” is my personal outlet just for YOUth!
Now down to the lesson at hand!
-Content provided by the Center for Disease Control & Prevention:
Young people in the United States are at persistent risk for HIV infection. This risk is especially notable for youth of minority races and ethnicities. Continual HIV prevention outreach and education efforts, including programs on abstinence and on delaying the initiation of sex, are required as new generations replace the generations that benefited from earlier prevention strategies. Unless otherwise noted, this fact sheet defines youth, or young people, as persons who are 13–24 years of age…
RISK FACTORS AND BARRIERS TO PREVENTION
Sexual Risk Factors
Early age at sexual initiation. According to CDC’s Youth Risk Behavioral Survey (YRBS), many young people begin having sexual intercourse at early ages: 47% of high school students have had sexual intercourse, and 7.4% of them reported first sexual intercourse before age 13 [4]. HIV/AIDS education needs to take place at correspondingly young ages, before young people engage in sexual behaviors that put them at risk for HIV infection.
– For the entire post, graphs and further information, click HERE:
