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Adolescent Reproductive Health in Nigeria (The Facts) (available online only)
One third (36.5 million) of Nigeria's total population of 123 million are youth between the ages of 10 and 24.By 2025, the number of Nigerian youth will exceed 57 million. Lack of sexual health information and services places these young people at risk for pregnancy, abortion, sexually transmitted infections (STI), and HIV/AIDS. In addition, early marriage and childbearing limit youth's educational and employment opportunities. Yet, effective, innovative programs can provide youth with the sexual health information and services they need. Adolescent Sexual Health in Europe and the U.S.—Why the Difference? (The Facts) (Order publication - $1.00)
The United States has far worse rates of adolescent pregnancy, birth, abortion, HIV, and STIs than almost all countries in Europe. Advocates for Youth initiated study tours to France, Germany, and the Netherlands to understand the underlying causes behind these difference.
Child Sexual Abuse II: A Risk Factor for HIV/STDs and Teen Pregnancy (The Facts) (available online only)
Children and adolescents who have been sexually victimized are at increased risk for HIV infection, unplanned pregnancy and other negative outcomes. Unfortunately, the personal skills needed to prevent sexually-transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy are exactly those eradicated by sexual abuse. People who work with youth must be aware of the possible connection; sexual abuse prevention must be a component of any program promoting adolescent reproductive and sexual health.
Creating Successful Public Education Campaigns to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and HIV (From Research to Practice) (available online only)
This is a selected list of sources and materials to help nonprofit organizations, coalitions, and councils create successful public education campaigns to prevent pregnancy, HIV, and sexually transmitted infections among youth, including organizations and websites, newsletters, and print materials. HIV and Young American Indian/Alaska Native Women (The Facts) (Order publication - $1.00)
Social, economic, and cultural barriers limit the ability of many American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) young women to receive accurate and adequate information on preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI)s. Additionally, there is a striking lack of research on cultural issues that influence the reproductive and sexual health of American Indians/Alaska Natives, less on AI/AN adolescents, and even less on young American Indian women.. Learn more about the sexual and reproductive health of young AI/AN women and how their needs can best be met.
HIV Vaccine Research: Creating Support Among Communities of Color (Issues at a Glance) (Order publication - $2.00)
Communities of color are disproportionately infected with HIV and are also disproportionately affected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic. A successful preventive vaccine may be our best hope for ending the epidemic among communities of color across the United States. Yet relatively few people of color in the United States volunteer for HIV prevention vaccine trials. This paper examines barriers to HIV vaccine trial participation among people of color and provides guidelines for increasing education and involvement around vaccine research. HIV/AIDS and the Young African American Woman: Get Your Talk On! (Pamphlet) (Order publication - see order form for pricing)
Written by and for young African-American women, this practical pamphlet gives tips on communication with a partner about relationship expectations, past and present sexual relationships, contraceptive use, and past and present drug use. HIV/STD Prevention and Young Men Who Have Sex with Men (Issues at a Glance) (available online only)
HIV/STD prevention that targets gay men seldom meets the needs of young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Some YMSM do not relate to gay-specific messages because they do not self-identify as gay. Many fear the social stigma and violence—sometimes intensified by culture and religion—directed at those identified as homosexual. Others identify themselves as bisexual and do not internalize gay-specific messages. On the other hand, HIV/STD prevention programs that target adolescents often exclude YMSM. This paper examines the challenges around preventing HIV in this population and provides guidelines for an effective, inclusive approach.
Improving U.S. Global AIDS Policy for Young People: Assessing PEPFAR (Report) (available online only)
Under former President Bush’s administration, U.S. government policies severely limited the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR’s) use of effective, science-based, public health strategies to reduce HIV transmission among youth. This report discusses three major shortcomings of policies under PEPFAR and the Office of Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC): that ideology trumps science in PEPFAR’s HIV prevention strategy for young people; that OGAC resists linking HIV prevention with reproductive health care and services; and that HIV-positive adolescents receive inadequate attention as a vulnerable population. Improving U.S. Global HIV Prevention for Youth (Policy Brief) (available online only)
This document explains why the Bush Administration’s insistence on a “segmented” approach to the ABCs of HIV prevention (abstinence, be faithful, use condoms) is not supported by science and leads to increased HIV rates among young people in low and middle income countries. Integrating Efforts to Prevent HIV, Other STIs, and Pregnancy among Teens (Issues at a Glance) (Order publication - $2.00)
In the United States, many youth-serving professionals and activists focus on preventing some particular negative health outcome among teens, such as unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In other words, youth-serving professionals often focus on one facet or another of the lives of youth, instead of serving youth more holistically. Integrating their efforts may provide a number of benefits, both for the young client and for youth-serving organizations. This document discusses the what, why, and how, the benefits, and the challenges of approaching youth holistically and of integrating the sexual health information and services they receive. Integrating Efforts to Prevent HIV, Other STIs, and Pregnancy among Teens in Developing Countries (Issues at a Glance) (available online only)
Youth's decisions about their sexual and reproductive health affect not only their lives, but also the health of the global community. Thus, there is an urgent need for programs and policies to address the complex sexual and reproductive health needs of earth's one billion youth ages 15 to 24. This paper discusses integration and offers case studies, lessons learned, and tips for integrated approaches to preventing HIV, STIs, and unintended pregnancy among youth. Male Circumcision as HIV Prevention (The Facts) (available online only)
Recent studies have demonstrated that circumcision offers men considerable—though not complete—protection against acquiring HIV through heterosexual intercourse. This fact sheet discusses recent studies on male circumcision, biological mechanisms by which the practice may reduce men’s risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection, global prevalence of male circumcision, and recommendations for HIV prevention programs and policies.
Protection Against Transmission of HIV for Women and Youth Act of 2007 (The Facts) (available online only)
The Protection Against Transmission of HIV for Women and Youth (PATHWAY) Act of 2007 (H.R. 1713) calls for the development of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy that incorporates the specific needs of women and girls, and especially addresses the factors that lead to gender disparities in developing countries. This fact sheet outlines the need for the PATHWAY Act and explains its provisions.
Science and Success, Second Edition: Sex Education and Other Programs That Work to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infections (Report) (Order publication - $15.00) Given the need to focus limited prevention resources on effective programs, Advocates for Youth undertook exhaustive reviews of existing research to compile a list of those programs proven effective by rigorous evaluation. Nineteen programs appeared in Science and Success when it was first published in 2003; seven additional programs are included in Science and Success, Second Edition. This document describes each of the programs and provides information about replicating them in your school, community, or health center. Science and Success in Developing Countries: Holistic Programs That Work to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infections (Report) Youth in developing countries face significant threats to their health and well-being—threats that include the HIV and AIDS pandemic, high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancies that may result in maternal morbidity and/or mortality. Given the need to focus limited prevention resources on effective programs, Advocates for Youth undertook an exhaustive review to find programs proven effective by rigorous evaluation and identified the 10 highly effective programs highlighted in this document. Serving HIV-Positive Youth (Issues at a Glance) (available online only)
Linking HIV-infected youth to health care is difficult. Barriers to health care for HIV-infected youth include lack of financial resources and/or insurance, mistrust of health care professionals, difficulty negotiating complex health care systems, complicated medical regimens, a shortage of providers with expertise in both HIV and adolescent medicine, and concerns about confidentiality. Also, fear, denial, and cultural perspectives may contribute to a young person's reluctance to go for care. However, research pinpoints important components of programs that effectively serve HIV-positive youth. This paper examines the challenges in serving HIV-positive youth and provides guidelines for effectively meeting these young people’s needs. The HIV/AIDS Pandemic among Youth in Sub-Saharan Africa (The Facts) (available online only)
About 1.7 million new adolescent HIV infections—over half of the world's total—occur in sub-Saharan Africa. In fact, nearly 70 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS live in sub-Saharan Africa, and over 80 percent of AIDS deaths have occurred there.The epidemic has had a devastating effect on most African youth who often lack access to sexual health information and services. In particular, unmarried youth have great difficulty getting needed sexual health services. At the same time, cultural, social, and economic norms and pressures often put young African women at excess risk for HIV infection. Understanding Disparities in the HIV Epidemic: How Social and Cultural Forces Lead to Unequal Risk for African Americans/Blacks (Issues at a Glance) (Order publication - $2.00)
African Americans suffer from negative sexual health outcomes at greatly disproportionate rates, with young women and young men who have sex with men particularly at risk. This paper provides a close examination of the extent of the HIV and STI epidemics and their underlying causes, examining how racism, poverty, incarceration, and other social factors have contributed to heightened risk.
Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: At Risk for HIV and STDs (The Facts) (available online only)
Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are at high risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Many Americans are reluctant to discuss sexuality and sexual health openly. Homophobia and fear of encouraging sexual activity among young people make many adults even more reluctant to address sexual health in regard to YMSM. This fact sheet describes the risks and issues YMSM face and how programs can address them. Young People and HIV (The Facts) (Order publication - $1.00)
Young people in the United States continue to be at risk for HIV and AIDS. At the end of 2006, in 45 states with reporting, almost 46,000 young people ages 13-24 were living with HIV, comprising about sixteen percent of all HIV infections. Youth of color and young men who have sex with men continue to be most at risk. Learn the facts about HIV among young people. Young Women of Color and the HIV Epidemic (The Facts) (available online only)
Rates of HIV infection are disproportionately high among young women of color, especially those who are members of the working poor and, therefore, lack health insurance and easy access to health care. This fact sheet describes the risks and issues young women of color face and how programs can address them.
Young Women of Color and Their Risk for HIV and Other STIs (Issues at a Glance) (Order publication - $2.00)
Socioeconomic, cultural, and gender barriers limit the ability of some young women of color to receive information on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, access culturally appropriate health care, and reduce sexual risks. The estimated prevalence of HIV and other STIs is especially high for young women of color, many of whom lack health insurance and have little or no access to health care. A lack of well-funded prevention programs specifically addressing young women of color further limits the capacity of some these young women to protect themselves against HIV infection. This paper examines these young women’s heightened risk and provides guidelines for programs to effectively address it.
Youth and the Global HIV/AIDS Pandemic (The Facts) (available online only)
Twenty-five years into the HIV/AIDS pandemic, HIV and AIDS continue to be a dire threat to global public health. More than half of all new HIV infections occur among people under the age of 25, and almost 11.8 million youth are living with HIV or AIDS. Throughout the world, almost 6,000 youth ages 15 to 24 are infected with HIV each day. Learn the facts about HIV/AIDS and the world’s youth. Youth and the State of Science: Health, New Technologies, Ethics and Human Rights (The Facts) (available online only)
Many factors, including gender and age inequities, sociocultural norms, educational opportunities, provider attitudes, and economic opportunities, affect each young person's ability to use reproductive and sexual health information and services. This fact sheet explores new technologies for preventing pregnancy, HIV, and STIs, and examines the issues around making these available to all youth worldwide. Youth Development: Strengthening Prevention Strategies (Issues at a Glance) (Order publication - $2.00)
HIV/STD and pregnancy prevention programs provide many young people with the sexual health knowledge, skills, and services they need; but, many youth still lack the motivation to avoid HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancy. By contrast, many youth development programs provide young people with the motivation to achieve a healthy adulthood but do not provide young people with the sexual health knowledge, skills, and services they need to avoid unintended pregnancy or infection with HIV and other STDs. prevention program planners must "connect the dots"—make clear the connections—between effective youth development and effective HIV/STD and pregnancy prevention. This paper outlines six premises for effective youth development programs as well as effective strategies and/or links for HIV/STD and teen pregnancy prevention program planners to consider.
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