Disparities in behaviors and experiences among transgender and cisgender high school students - 18 U.S. states, 2021.

PURPOSE: Transgender youth (those whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth) experience stigma and discrimination that can place them at increased risk for poor health outcomes compared with cisgender youth (those whose gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth). Limited population-based data exist on disparities among transgender and cisgender youth. METHODS: We examined differences in experiences of violence, substance use, mental health, suicide, sexual behavior, unstable housing, parental monitoring, and school connectedness among 98,174 transgender and cisgender high school students using data from 18 states that included an item to assess transgender identity on their 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. RESULTS: Overall, 2.9% of students identified as transgender and 2.6% questioned whether they were transgender. Among transgender students, 71.5% reported that their mental health was not good, 32.3% had attempted suicide, and 29.0% experienced sexual violence. Transgender students were more likely than cisgender students to report experiences of violence, substance use, poor mental health, suicide risk, some sexual risk behaviors, and unstable housing, and were less likely to report feeling connected to others at school. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions that can address the causes of these adverse outcomes and promote the health and wellbeing of transgender youths are warranted.

Disparities and Trends in Middle School Students' Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors: Results From the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2015-2019.

PURPOSE: To examine trends and racial and ethnic disparities in early adolescent suicidal thoughts and behaviors in the years immediately prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This study used pooled data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's middle school Youth Risk Behavior Survey (n = 127,912) between 2015 and 2019. Three dichotomized measures of suicide-related behaviors were assessed: suicidal thoughts, planning, and attempts. Weighted prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each survey year. Linear trends examined disparities in the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, overall and by student demographic characteristics. Main effects odds ratios compared estimates among racial and ethnic minority adolescents with non-Hispanic White students, controlling for sex and grade. RESULTS: Significant linear increases were observed for the percentage of middle school students who reported seriously thinking about suicide (18.2%-22.3%), ever making a suicide plan (11.8%-14.7%), and ever attempting suicide (6.9%-9.3%). Racial and ethnic minority students, other than non-Hispanic Asian, showed higher odds of suicidal thoughts and behaviors compared with non-Hispanic White students. DISCUSSION: Findings indicate a need for comprehensive suicide prevention to address health equity and disparities in suicide-related behaviors among middle school-aged adolescents.

Disparities in School Connectedness, Unstable Housing, Experiences of Violence, Mental Health, and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Transgender and Cisgender High School Students - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023.

Transgender high school students (those whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth) experience disparate health outcomes and challenges in school, including violence and discrimination, compared with cisgender students (those whose gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth). Until recently, population-based data describing the experiences of transgender students and students questioning whether they are transgender (questioning) have been limited. In 2023, the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey assessed transgender identity, providing the first nationally representative data about transgender students. This report describes the demographic characteristics of transgender and questioning high school students and examines differences in the prevalence of experiences of violence, poor mental health, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, school connectedness, and unstable housing among transgender, questioning, and cisgender high school students nationwide. In 2023, 3.3% of U.S. high school students identified as transgender, and 2.2% identified as questioning. Transgender and questioning students experienced a higher prevalence of violence, poor mental health, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and unstable housing, and a lower prevalence of school connectedness than their cisgender peers. Compared with 8.5% of cisgender male students, 25.3% of transgender students and 26.4% of questioning students skipped school because they felt unsafe. An estimated 40% of transgender and questioning students were bullied at school, and 69% of questioning students and 72% of transgender students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, a marker for experiencing depressive symptoms. Approximately 26% of transgender and questioning students attempted suicide in the past year compared with 5% of cisgender male and 11% of cisgender female students. Intervention opportunities for schools to create safer and more supportive environments for transgender and questioning students can help address these disparities. The findings of this report suggest that more effort is necessary to ensure that the health and well-being of youths who are socially marginalized is prioritized.

Experiences of Racism in School and Associations with Mental Health, Suicide Risk, and Substance Use Among High School Students - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023.

Racism is a fundamental determinant of health inequities among racial and ethnic groups and is understudied among adolescents. In 2023, the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey questionnaire included an item assessing experiences of racism in the school setting among students in grades 9-12 in the United States. This report estimates the prevalence of students who reported ever having experienced racism in school and compares prevalence by racial and ethnic groups. For each racial and ethnic group, prevalence differences and prevalence ratios were estimated comparing the prevalence of indicators of poor mental health, suicide risk, and substance use among students who reported that they have ever versus never experienced racism in school. In 2023, approximately one in three high school students (31.5%) said that they had ever experienced racism in school. Reported experiences of racism were most prevalent among Asian (56.9%), multiracial (48.8%), and Black or African American (Black) (45.9%) students and least prevalent among White students (17.3%). Black and Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic) students who reported experiencing racism had a higher prevalence of all health risk behaviors and experiences investigated, including indicators of poor mental health, suicide risk, and substance use compared with students of their racial and ethnic group who reported never experiencing racism. Many of these associations were also found among multiracial and White students. Student reports of racism were associated with indicators of mental health and suicide risk among American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Asian students. Among students of color, including AI/AN, Asian, Black, Hispanic, and multiracial students, the prevalence of seriously considering and attempting suicide was more than two times higher among students who ever compared with never experienced racism. These findings demonstrate that racism in the school setting is experienced by high school students attending public and private schools and continues to disproportionately affect students of color. Students who reported experiencing racism had a higher prevalence of indicators of poor mental health, suicide risk, and substance use. Schools can incorporate policies and practices to prevent unfair treatment on the basis of race and ethnicity and offer resources to help students cope with these experiences.

Dating Violence, Sexual Violence, and Bullying Victimization Among High School Students -Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2021.

Experiences of teen dating violence (TDV), sexual violence, and bullying during adolescence are all forms of interpersonal violence victimization (IVV) and are associated with health and behavioral issues during adulthood. Data from the nationally representative 2011-2021 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys were used to estimate the 2021 prevalence of IVV reported by U.S. high school students. IVV included past-year sexual TDV, physical TDV, sexual violence by anyone, electronic bullying, being bullied on school property, and lifetime forced sex and was analyzed by demographic characteristics and sex of sexual contacts. This report also explored trends in IVV over this 10-year period among U.S. high school students. In 2021, a total of 8.5% of students reported physical TDV, 9.7% reported sexual TDV, 11.0% reported sexual violence by anyone (with 59.5% of those also reporting sexual TDV), 15.0% reported bullying on school property, and 15.9% reported electronic bullying victimization during the past 12 months; 8.5% also reported experiencing forced sex in their lifetime. Disparities were observed for each form of IVV assessed for females and for most forms of IVV among racial and ethnic minority students; students who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, or other (LGBQ+); and students who reported their sexual contacts as same sex only or both sexes. Trend analyses indicated that physical TDV, sexual TDV, any physical or sexual TDV, and both physical and sexual TDV victimization decreased from 2013 to 2021 (although sexual TDV increased from 2019 to 2021). Any bullying victimization decreased from 2011 to 2021. Lifetime forced sexual intercourse decreased from 2011 to 2015, then increased from 2015 to 2021. Being bullied on school property was unchanged from 2011 to 2017, then decreased from 2017 to 2021. Sexual violence by anyone increased from 2017 to 2021. This report highlights disparities in IVV and provides the first national estimates among Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander youths. Findings, including trend analyses indicating recent increases in certain forms of IVV, point to the continued urgency of violence prevention efforts for all U.S. youths and especially those who are disproportionately affected by IVV.

Experiences of Unstable Housing Among High School Students - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2021.

Youths experiencing unstable housing face higher risks for poor physical, mental, and sexual health outcomes and increased risk for suicide compared with their peers experiencing stable housing. In addition, youths of color and sexual minority youths are disproportionately more likely to experience homelessness. For the first time, in 2021, the nationally representative Youth Risk Behavior Survey included an item assessing housing stability, or nighttime residence among students in grades 9-12 in the United States. During 2021, 2.7% of U.S. high school students experienced unstable housing. Among racial and ethnic subgroups, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander youths were most likely to experience unstable housing, followed by American Indian or Alaska Native and Black youths. Sexual minority (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning or other) youths were more likely to experience unstable housing compared with their heterosexual peers. Compared with students who were stably housed, students who were unstably housed were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, substance use, and suicide ideation and attempts, and to experience violence. These findings highlight which adverse health risks and behaviors are elevated among youths experiencing housing insecurity. Focused public health interventions are required to address the disproportionate burden of health risks prevalent among youths who are unstably housed.

Local Education Agency Impact on School Environments to Reduce Health Risk Behaviors and Experiences Among High School Students.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to assess associations between exposure to a multilevel, socio-ecological health program administered by local education agencies and changes in health behaviors among high school students. METHODS: This analysis used a multilevel difference-in-differences approach to compare student health experiences and outcomes between schools selected by local education agencies nationwide to implement the program (exposed schools) and schools that were not (unexposed schools). We measured repeated cross-sectional outcomes using the 2015 and 2017 Youth Risk Behaviors Surveys. The final analytic sample comprised 638 schools in total (N = 64,838 students), with 237 exposed schools (n = 30,336 students) and 401 unexposed schools (n = 34,502 students). RESULTS: Students in exposed schools demonstrated significant reduction in odds compared with those in unexposed schools in ever having sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = .88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .81-.96), having four or more lifetime sexual partners (aOR = .84, 95% CI: .72-.97), being currently sexually active (aOR = .78, 95% CI: .78-.96), and using effective hormonal birth control (aOR = .7, 95% CI: .56-.88). Exposure to the program was associated with significant reduction in odds of not going to school because of safety concerns (aOR = .87, 95% CI: .78-.97), having experienced forced sex (aOR = .76, 95% CI: .68-.86), ever used marijuana (aOR = .89, 95% CI: .81-.98), and currently using marijuana (aOR = .77, 95% CI: .64-.93). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to the program was associated with significant decreases in sexual risk behaviors, experience of violence, and substance use.

Protective Environments, Health, and Substance Use Among Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth.

Purpose: Transgender and gender expansive (TGE) youth experience elevated risk for substance use and other health inequities compared to cisgender peers. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between protective environments-perceived community tolerance, perceived family support, and housing stability-and recent binge drinking, lifetime high-risk substance use (HRSU; cocaine, methamphetamines, and/or heroin), and self-rated health in a sample of TGE youth. Methods: This secondary analysis of 1567 TGE youth aged 13-24 years draws from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2018 web-based Survey of Today's Adolescent Relationships and Transitions, which used a nonprobabilistic recruiting strategy via social media. Logistic regression was used to test the associations between protective environments and substance use and health outcomes. Results: Overall, 28.1% of participants reported that people who lived near them were tolerant of transgender people, 32.8% reported that their family was at least somewhat supportive of their TGE identity, and 77.0% were stably housed. In the logistic regression models, community tolerance and housing stability were associated with lower odds of self-rated poor health. Housing stability was associated with lower odds of recent binge drinking and lifetime HRSU. Conclusion: Perceived community tolerance and housing stability were associated with several health outcomes among TGE youth in this study. Protective factors, including safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments, are critical to youth health and wellbeing. The findings in this study highlight the need for prevention strategies to promote protective environments and reduce known substance use and overall health inequities among TGE youth.

Associations of a Multilevel School Health Program and Health Outcomes Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth.

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adolescents are often at higher risk than their heterosexual peers for adverse sexual health, violence, mental health, and substance use outcomes. Schools are a vital resource for enhancing protective behaviors and reducing risk behaviors. Sixteen school districts selected schools to implement a sexual health program (exposed) or usual programming (unexposed). We analyzed LGB student health outcomes using 2015 and 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys. Analyses compared LGB student health outcomes by exposure status across time points using a multilevel approach. Program exposure was associated with decreased odds of ever having sex, ever testing for HIV, and using effective hormonal birth control, and an increased odds of condom use. There were no significant findings among secondary violence, mental health, and substance use outcomes. This evaluation highlights the potential for schools to reduce sexual risk behaviors among LGB youth, and opportunities to improve access to health services.

Dosage in Implementation of an Effective School-Based Health Program Impacts Youth Health Risk Behaviors and Experiences.

PURPOSE: This study is part of a larger evaluation of a multilevel, multistrategy federal program to reduce high school students' risk for HIV/sexually transmitted infection and unintended pregnancy. Local education agencies supported schools in implementing three strategies: delivering exemplary sexual health education, increasing student access to quality sexual health services, and enhancing safe and supportive school environments (SSE). We examined how levels of school implementation of these strategies moderated program effects on targeted student outcomes. METHODS: The Youth Risk Behavior Survey was implemented in participating local education agencies in 2015 and 2017 to assess student behaviors and experiences, whereas the School Health Profiles surveys assessed school policies and practices in 2014 and 2016. We used these surveys to measure student-level outcomes and school-level program delivery, respectively, which were analyzed using multilevel modeling in a difference-in-differences framework. RESULTS: Levels of SSE implementation significantly moderated program effects on multiple student outcomes, including ever having sex, having four or more lifetime sexual partners, being sexually active, using hormonal birth control, dual use of a condom and hormonal birth control, ever being forced to have sex, missing school because of safety concerns, and lifetime and current marijuana use. However, we found few moderating effects of exemplary sexual health education and sexual health services dosage. DISCUSSION: We found a significant relationship between incremental increases in implementation of activities to increase the safety and supportiveness of school environments and enhanced program effects in improving multiple student health outcomes. These findings suggest that school implementation of SSE activities contributed to intended program effects.

Preliminary findings for adverse childhood experiences and associations with negative physical and mental health and victimization in transmasculine adults.

INTRODUCTION: Studies highlight the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on risk for negative health outcomes in adulthood, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, substance use, and mental health. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people report higher rates of ACEs than non-LGBT people, with transgender people at greatest risk. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to comprehensively assess the prevalence of ACEs and association with health outcomes among transmasculine individuals. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A sample of 131 transmasculine individuals enrolled in a clinical trial on preventive cervical cancer screening between March 2015 and September 2016 in the United States were surveyed about ACEs and health outcomes. METHODS: Pearson's chi-squared tests and logistic regression models were used to examine associations between self-reported ACEs prior to age 18 and the risk of various negative health outcomes in adulthood. ACEs were categorized as 0-1 ACEs, 2-3 ACEs, and 4+ ACEs. RESULTS: Over 90% of the sample (120/131) reported at least 1 ACE; 45% (59/131) reported 4+ ACEs. Report of 4 or more ACEs increased risk for negative health outcomes and risk factors compared to 0-1 ACEs, including: depression (AOR = 5.3, 95%CI = 1.7, 16.2), suicidality (AOR = 5.2, 95%CI = 1.4, 18.8), post-traumatic stress disorder (AOR = 6.0, 95%CI (1.6, 22.8)), intimate partner violence (AOR = 5.3, 95%CI = 1.4, 18.8), and obesity (AOR = 8.2, 95%CI = 1.8, 37.2). Report of 2-3 ACEs was also significantly associated with obesity (AOR = 5.9, 95%CI = 1.3, 26.2). CONCLUSIONS: ACEs are highly prevalent in this sample, and more attention is needed for research and intervention. This exploratory study is the first to comprehensively highlight patterns of physical and mental health risk and victimization associated with report of ACEs among transmasculine individuals. Trauma-informed screening and intervention efforts tailored to the unique needs of this population are needed to provide appropriate and effective care. Clinicians should consider routinely screening for ACEs among transmasculine youth and engage in prevention strategies to reduce health disparities. Further research is warranted to validate these findings among larger, more representative samples to better reflect the diversity of experiences and identities of transmasculine individuals and produce more reliable findings.

Trends in Violence Victimization and Suicide Risk by Sexual Identity Among High School Students - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2015-2019.

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youths continue to experience more violence victimization and suicide risk than heterosexual youths; however, few studies have examined whether the proportion of LGB youths affected by these outcomes has varied over time, and no studies have assessed such trends in a nationally representative sample. This report analyzes national trends in violence victimization and suicide risk among high school students by self-reported sexual identity (LGB or heterosexual) and evaluates differences in these trends among LGB students by sex (male or female) and race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, or Hispanic). Data for this analysis were derived from the 2015, 2017, and 2019 cycles of CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a cross-sectional, school-based survey conducted biennially since 1991. Logistic regression models assessed linear trends in prevalence of violence victimization and indicators of suicide risk among LGB and heterosexual students during 2015-2019; in subsequent models, sex-stratified (controlling for race/ethnicity and grade) and race/ethnicity-stratified (controlling for sex and grade) linear trends were examined for students self-identifying as LGB during 2015-2019. Results demonstrated that LGB students experienced more violence victimization and reported more suicide risk behaviors than heterosexual youths. Among LGB youths, differences in the proportion reporting violence victimization and suicide risk by sex and race/ethnicity were found. Across analyses, very few linear trends in these outcomes were observed among LGB students. Results highlight the continued need for comprehensive intervention strategies within schools and communities with the express goal of reducing violence victimization and preventing suicide risk behaviors among LGB students.

Interpersonal Violence Victimization Among High School Students - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2019.

Adolescent interpersonal violence victimization is an adverse childhood experience and a serious public health problem for youths, their families, and communities. Violence victimization includes dating violence, sexual violence, and bullying. Youth Risk Behavior Survey data for 2019 were used to examine physical and sexual dating violence; sexual violence by anyone; and bullying victimization, whether on school property or electronic, of U.S. high school students by sex, race/ethnicity, and sexual identity. In addition, this report explores frequency of dating violence and frequency of sexual violence among students who reported these forms of victimization and presents composites of dating violence and bullying. Findings reveal that 8.2% of students reported physical dating violence; 8.2% reported sexual dating violence; 10.8% reported sexual violence by anyone, of which 50% of cases were by a perpetrator other than a dating partner; 19.5% reported bullying on school property; and 15.7% reported electronic bullying victimization during the previous 12 months. Approximately one in eight students reported any dating violence, and one in four reported any bullying victimization. Female students; lesbian, gay, and bisexual students; and students not sure of their sexual identity reported the highest prevalence estimates across all five violence victimization types, any and both forms of dating violence, and any bullying victimization. Non-Hispanic white students reported the highest prevalence of bullying victimization. Among students experiencing physical or sexual dating violence or sexual violence by anyone, the most common frequency reported was one time during the previous year; higher frequency was more prevalent among male students compared with female students. These findings provide a contextual understanding of the prevalence of interpersonal violence of U.S. high school students, highlighting those with highest prevalence. Findings can be used by public health professionals to guide prevention efforts with youths in schools and communities.

Clinically significant depressive symptoms among a diverse sample of same-sex male couples in Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago: An analysis of individual- and dyadic-level factors.

Psychosocial and relationship factors are associated with depression outcomes in heterosexual couples. No known research has examined these relationships statistically among both partners within a same-sex male dyad. This study examined how socio-demographics, psychosocial and relationship factors influence depressive symptoms in a large sample of same-sex male couples in Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago. Linear and logistic regression models indicated that, at the individual level, age, polydrug use, relationship length, perceived love, and partner communication were associated with depression scores. Multinomial logistic regression models showed that couples with no sexual agreement or an agreement with restrictions were likely to exhibit depressive symptoms.

Dyadic Reporting of Intimate Partner Violence Among Male Couples in Three U.S. Cities.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent and pressing public health concern that affects people of all gender and sexual identities. Though studies have identified that male couples may experience IPV at rates as high as or higher than women in heterosexual partnerships, the body of literature addressing this population is still nascent. This study recruited 160 male-male couples in Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago to independently complete individual surveys measuring demographic information, partner violence experience and perpetration, and individual and relationship characteristics that may shape the experience of violence. Forty-six percent of respondents reported experiencing IPV in the past year. Internalized homophobia significantly increased the risk for reporting experiencing, perpetrating, or both for any type of IPV. This study is the first to independently gather data on IPV from both members of male dyads and indicates an association between internalized homophobia and risk for IPV among male couples. The results highlight the unique experiences of IPV in male-male couples and call for further research and programmatic attention to address the exorbitant levels of IPV experienced within some of these partnerships.

Project Stronger Together: Protocol to Test a Dyadic Intervention to Improve Engagement in HIV Care Among Sero-Discordant Male Couples in Three US Cities.

BACKGROUND: An estimated one- to-two-thirds of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among US men who have sex with men (MSM) occur within the context of primary partnerships. Despite this fact, there remains a lack of prevention interventions that focus on male sero-discordant dyads. Interventions that provide male couples with skills to manage HIV risk, and to support each other towards active engagement in HIV prevention and care, are urgently needed. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to describe the protocol for an innovative dyadic intervention (Stronger Together) that combines couples' HIV testing and dyadic adherence counseling to improve treatment adherence and engagement in care among HIV sero-discordant male couples in the United States. METHODS: The research activities involve a prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) of approximately 165 venue- and clinic-recruited sero-discordant male couples (330 individuals: 165 HIV sero-negative and 165 HIV sero-positive). Couples randomized into the intervention arm receive couples' HIV counseling and testing plus dyadic adherence counseling, while those randomized to the control arm receive individual HIV counseling and testing. The study takes place in three cities: Atlanta, GA (study site Emory University); Boston, MA (study site The Fenway Institute); and Chicago, IL (study site Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago). Cohort recruitment began in 2015. Couples are followed prospectively for 24 months, with study assessments at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. RESULTS: Stronger Together was launched in August 2014. To date, 160 couples (97% of the target enrollment) have been enrolled and randomized. The average retention rate across the three sites is 95%. Relationship dissolution has been relatively low, with only 13 couples breaking up during the RCT. Of the 13 couples who have broken up, 10 of the 13 HIV-positive partners have been retained in the cohort; none of these HIV-positive partners have enrolled new partners into the RCT. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention offers a unique opportunity for sero-discordant couples to support each other towards common HIV management goals by facilitating their development of tailored prevention plans via couples-based HIV testing and counseling, as well as problem-solving skills in Partner Strategies to Enhance Problem-solving Skills (STEPS). TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01772992; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01772992 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6szFBVk1R).