Health-Risk Behaviors Among Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Youth

A report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and based on the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) found the prevalence of risk behaviors among gay, lesbian and bisexual students was higher than the prevalence among heterosexual students. The risk behavior categories include -- behaviors that contribute to violence, behaviors related to attempted suicide, tobacco use, alcohol use, other drug use, sexual behaviors, and weight management. The report is titled Sexual Identity, Sex of Sexual Contacts, and Health-Risk Behaviors Among Students in Grades 9-12 -- Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, Selected Sites, United States, 2001-2009, and was published in the June issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 

The report summarizes results from YRBSs conducted during 2001--2009 from seven states and six large urban school districts that included questions on sexual identity, sex of sexual contacts, or both. The prevalence of health-risk behaviors and obesity and overweight is compared among subgroups of students defined by sexual identity and by sex of sexual contacts. 

Sexual minority youths have specific health needs and are at disproportionate risk for certain health problems. However, as described in a recent Institute of Medicine report, more data about sexual minority youths are needed. Understanding state-level and local-level differences in the prevalence of health-risk behaviors and health outcomes by sexual minority status as reported by large population-based samples of high school students will provide additional information about sexual minority youths and might help reduce the health disparities they experience.

Read more on the CDC website.

[ » More News & Announcements ]