Source: Christian Newswire
A study released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that at least one in four teens in the U.S. has a sexually transmitted disease (STD). “Current public health policies are clearly failing to reduce the spread of STDs among young women,” said Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America. “Pushing kids to be sexually active, withholding medical screenings to deny parents information about their teens, and encouraging young women to skip screenings for STDs are irresponsible policies that have put teens’ health at risk. Public health officials need to admit their failures that have led to kids paying the price.” Dr. Margaret Blythe, an adolescent medicine specialist at Indiana University School of Medicine, said some doctors are also reluctant to discuss STDs with teen patients or offer screenings because of confidentiality concerns, knowing parents will have to be told the results. Wright added that “parents are the best advocates for their kids, yet some doctors choose to put adolescents’ health at risk in order to keep medical information from their parents.” The study examined the national prevalence of four common STDs among adolescent girls: human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, trichomoniasi and herpes simplex virus.
Also read the New York times article here:
Sex Infections Found in Quarter of Teenage Girls
By LAWRENCE K. ALTMAN
Rates are particularly high among young African-Americans, according to new federal data.
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