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Teen/Youth News Archives
Note: These news briefs contain news that pertains to teens/youth and HIV/STD
issues, to both educate and increase awareness of what others are doing (or not
doing) for prevention, around the nation and around the world.
See also the Teen Issues page and
Teen Resources
April News Briefs and Links
MINNESOTA:
"Best Time for ‘the Talk’? Early"
Star Tribune , (04.07.2008) Patrice Relerford
Hopkins School District officials are taking steps to educate elementary and
middle school students and their parents about the need for early sex education
both at home and in school. Recent attention to the issue came from a CDC study
that found one in four teenage girls in the United States has an STD.
CDC Summary
"Study Links HPV to Lung Cancer"
ABC News , (04.28.2008) Russell Goldman
Human papillomavirus has long been linked to cancers of the sex organs,
particularly the cervix. More recently, scientists have found connections
between HPV and cancers of the mouth and throat. Now comes word from a new study
that the STD may be associated with lung cancer as well.
CDC Summary in Medical News.
CDC, Verizon, University of Georgia Launch Cell Phone Initiative That
Aims To Increase HIV Testing Among Youth
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=51801
UNICEF Peer Education Program Increasing HIV/AIDS Awareness in Yemen,
Official Says
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=51778
WASHINGTON:
"New Approach to Sex Education: Abstinence Plus"
Associated Press , (04.20.2008) James Joyce III, Yakima
Herald-Republic
Beginning in September, school districts across Washington will need to comply
with the Healthy Youth Act approved last year by the Legislature. Though it does
not mandate that schools teach sex education, it does set standards for those
that choose to: The curricula must include abstinence, but it also must go
beyond abstinence-only and include information that is “medically and
scientifically accurate” and “age appropriate.” CDC Summary
(RED) STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
(RED) is excited to announce the launch of our (RED) Ambassador
program for the 08/09 school year. The program is open to college students from
any institution in the United States. Ambassadors will be responsible for
turning their campus (RED) - educating about the crisis of AIDS in Africa,
promoting (RED) products and the role they play in fighting this epidemic,
building an understanding of what (RED) is and how the (RED) model works,
raising awareness about the Global Fund, and getting as many people as possible
in your community to choose (RED) when shopping. - more -
South Carolina House To Consider Bill That Would Eliminate Requirement To Inform
School Officials of Students' HIV-Positive Status
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=51636
MICHIGAN:
"Health Officials Urge Action in Fight Against STDs
Among Teens"
Grand Rapids Press , (04.08.2008)
A recent federal report’s revelation that one in four US teenage girls has an
STD was no shock to public health professionals in the Grand Rapids area.
“There’s no surprise here,” said Suzy Reiter, vice president of medical services
and women’s health practitioner at Planned Parenthood of West and Northern
Michigan. CDC Summary
Lebanese Family Planning Association Workshop Aims To Increase Youth Involvement
in Curbing HIV/AIDS
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=51503
Chicago Tribune Examines 'Unexpected Challenges' of Raising HIV-Positive Teens
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=51405
Local Health Departments and Adolescent HIV Prevention:
Challenges, Successes, and Implications for Practice and Policy
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) is pleased
to announce the release of its original report, Local Health Departments and
Adolescent HIV Prevention: Challenges, Successes, and Implications for Practice
and Policy. This report summarizes findings from key informant interviews with
HIV prevention program managers at 40 local health departments, which were
conducted to assess barriers and facilitators to local health departments'
ability to engage in adolescent-focused HIV, STD and unintended pregnancy
prevention in their communities. This report also includes a series of
implications for local public health practice and policy to support adolescent
HIV, STD and unintended pregnancy prevention efforts. For more information about
this report, please contact Cara Biddlecom at
cbiddlecom@naccho.org. A free PDF
version of this document is available here:
http://www.naccho.org/topics/infectious/documents/AdolescentHIVPreventionReport3-20-08.pdf
Malawi Launches Program Aimed at Preventing HIV, Improving Sexual Health
Among Young People
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=51300
R.E.C. Boyz Targets Young MSM for
Testing in Detroit
This CDC funded Mpowerment Initiative Project has officially started
HIV testing at its Youth Only (13 – 24 years old) HIV CTR Site located at the
home office of AIDS Partnership Michigan, 1959 E. Jefferson Ave., Ste 300,
Detroit, MI 48207. The testing will be available on Mondays and Wednesdays from
5pm to 8pm, using OraQuick Advance Testing, which allows for preliminary tests
results at the first visit. For more information, contact The R.E.C. Boyz
Project Director, Ken Jackson
at AIDS Partnership Michigan, (313) 446-9821.
The Midwest AIDS Prevention Project (MAPP) also provides
HIV testing by culturally competent test counselors at its offices in Ferndale
just north of 8 Mile Rd. by appointment, (248) 545-1435 ext. 2 and at The Loft
in downtown Detroit, home of Detroit's other Mpowerment Project, on Sunday
evenings from 7 pm - 10 pm. For more information call MAPP counseling and
testing staff at (248) 545-1435 ext. 2.
See March Archives
Summaries
MINNESOTA:
"Best Time for ‘the Talk’? Early"
Star Tribune , (04.07.2008) Patrice Relerford
Hopkins School District officials are taking steps to educate elementary and
middle school students and their parents about the need for early sex education
both at home and in school. Recent attention to the issue came from a CDC study
that found one in four teenage girls in the United States has an STD.
“It’s too late [to start talking about sex] when they get to high school,” said
Bobby Pointer, Hopkins High School’s nurse.
According to social worker Sharon MacDonald, media images and negative peer
influences result in worrisome attitudes about sex years before students’ first
health class. For instance, many students believe oral sex does not count as
sex, and that STDs cannot result from unprotected oral sex.
“We tell them if it ends in sex, it’s sex,” said Marit Lee-Dohse, a health
teacher at the high school.
Area teen health clinics assist with customized community outreach programs on
request, hosting peer education clinics at local schools and arranging parent
workshops. “We don’t have to drum up business,” said Brooke Stelzer, health
education director at Annex Teen Clinic in Robbinsdale. Her group served almost
12,000 people last year. It is also working to reach out more to boys, who are
less likely to go to local clinics.
According to Stelzer, many adults believe talking about sex increases the
likelihood preteens and teens will have sex. Stelzer said this is not true,
adding, “It’s difficult to make good decisions if you don’t have correct
information.”
WASHINGTON:
"New Approach to Sex Education: Abstinence Plus"
Associated Press , (04.20.2008) James Joyce III, Yakima
Herald-Republic
Beginning in September, school districts across Washington will need to comply
with the Healthy Youth Act approved last year by the Legislature. Though it does
not mandate that schools teach sex education, it does set standards for those
that choose to: The curricula must include abstinence, but it also must go
beyond abstinence-only and include information that is “medically and
scientifically accurate” and “age appropriate.”
“Up until this point, I think we have done somewhat of a disservice,” said June
DeLaRosa, a nurse with the Highland School District. “We need to talk about ways
[students] can protect themselves.”
State law requires that before schools address sex, parents must receive
notification: This is usually a letter or an opt-out form. Parents are then
encouraged to review the instructional materials. Some districts go even
further, providing educational guides to help parents talk to their kids about
sex.
The curriculum used by most schools in the state, FLASH, for Family Life and
Sexual Health, is published by the Public Health Center of Seattle and King
County. It advises students to approach parents or faith leaders to answer
questions dealing with personal beliefs or morals.
Currently, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is finalizing
the state’s health and fitness guidelines. These will include expectations of
what topics will be addressed at each grade level.
(RED) STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
(RED) is excited to announce the launch of our (RED) Ambassador
program for the 08/09 school year. The program is open to college students from
any institution in the United States. Ambassadors will be responsible for
turning their campus (RED) - educating about the crisis of AIDS in Africa,
promoting (RED) products and the role they play in fighting this epidemic,
building an understanding of what (RED) is and how the (RED) model works,
raising awareness about the Global Fund, and getting as many people as possible
in your community to choose (RED) when shopping.
We’re looking for unique ideas – the five best concepts will be rewarded with a
‘(RED) Ambassador’ position for the 08/09 school year, a chance to execute your
proposal with our help, an opportunity to bring (RED) to your campus community
in a meaningful way, and possibly even a trip to Africa.
We’ll pick five students from campuses across the country later this spring to
be our very first (RED) Ambassadors for the 08/09 school year.
In this year-long commitment, (RED) Ambassadors will be serving in an internship
role, getting a ton of hands-on experience with things like planning campaigns,
organizing, marketing, event planning, and training volunteers. You’ll receive
training and support from the (RED) team who will be your guide throughout the
school year. Your training will kick off with a (RED) U weekend in June where
you’ll meet some of the (RED) team, learn about our product partners, learn the
ins and outs of the (RED) model, the Global Fund and the issues around the AIDS
emergency in Africa, and develop a marketing and outreach plan for your campus.
This is a great opportunity to expand your leadership skills and utilize your
creativity and knowledge of your campus community in an effort to eliminate the
AIDS emergency in Africa. Fill out the registration form at:
http://joinred.com/redu/
MICHIGAN:
"Health Officials Urge Action in Fight Against STDs
Among Teens"
Grand Rapids Press , (04.08.2008)
A recent federal report’s revelation that one in four US teenage girls has an
STD was no shock to public health professionals in the Grand Rapids area.
“There’s no surprise here,” said Suzy Reiter, vice president of medical services
and women’s health practitioner at Planned Parenthood of West and Northern
Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Community Health reports that among males and females
ages 15 to 19, chlamydia cases rose from 8,561 in 1997 to 14,752 in 2006, while
gonorrhea cases climbed from 4,276 in 1997 to 5,020 in 2006.
“I don’t think we have made an effective overture to kids that it’s not just
about pregnancy prevention,” said Dr. Eugene Shatz, division chief of the
Adolescent Medicine Clinic at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. “Some of these
[STDs] are with you for life.”
“I think we have placed a degree of responsibility disproportionately on young
women,” Shatz continued. “Infection is not coming from the air or the water:
It’s coming from the guys they’re having sex with.”
Shatz said getting treatment to an infected girl’s partner is essential, even if
he has no symptoms. “I hear from girls, ‘So-and-so gave it to me, so I’m not
going to tell him, and I hope he has it, too.’ I tell them, ‘You can still be
[angry] at your significant other, but it’s your responsibility to protect your
friends and people you don’t know.”
“Women are so used to seeing health care providers,” Reiter said, because “women
are the ones who primarily seek birth control methods.” But she said males, too,
should be accessing regular health care, and they should be taught which
diseases condoms can and cannot protect them against.
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