Conventional wisdom posits that trends in American society are placing the country’s youth at increasing risk of harm. The source of that risk is the subject of much debate, depending on your political perspective. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report based on a decade-long study that confirms with factual data what conventional wisdom asserts: today’s youth are indeed at risk.
The report breaks down its findings in a number of demographic categories, for a number of specific risk factors, and its findings are disturbing. While youth as a whole face risk, girls, minorities and LGBTQ+ youth are at particular risk.
The recent CDC report, titled the Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report (YRBS) provides information on the health behaviors and experiences of high-school students in the United States. Ten-year trends from 2013 to 2023 are included in the report. The data highlights focus on sexual behavior; substance abuse; experience of violence; mental health; and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
One key finding is the dramatic disparities faced by girls and LGBTQ+ students in comparison to male heterosexual students. Female students are faring more poorly than male students across almost all measures of substance use, experiences of violence, mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Additionally, LGBTQ+ students were more likely than their peers to have used or misused all substances included in the report, such as alcohol, illicit drugs and prescription opioids. They were also more likely to experience various forms of violence and exhibit signs of poor mental health, including suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Unsurprisingly, this has led to a staggering statistic: one in five LGBTQ+ students attempted suicide in the past year.
The stats on sexual behavior provide some alarming data. Two in 10 female students reported experiencing some form of sexual violence, while more that one in 10 reported being forced to have some form of nonviolent nonconsensual sex. LGBTQ+ students were even more likely to experience similar forms of forced sex, as well as experiencing some form of sexual violence.
The above facts make the issue of testing for STDs and HIV particularly relevant. The report shows that LGBTQ+, female and Black students were the most likely to have been tested for HIV in the past year. This is somewhat encouraging because it could indicate that HIV education efforts aimed at those groups of students are showing some degree of efficacy.
Testing for STDs in general showed a similar breakdown, with Black, female and LGBTQ+ students, joined in this instance by Hispanic students, being most likely to have had an STD test in the past year.
The threat of sexual violence highlights the broader issue of violence as a whole. In recent years, there have been alarming increases in high school students’ experiences of violence. Nearly all forms of violence measured in this report have risen over the years. Since 2013, the percentage of students threatened or injured with a weapon at school, missing school due to safety concerns, and experiencing forced sex has increased. Additionally, since 2017, the percentage of students experiencing sexual violence by anyone has also grown.
Two-year changes show recent increases in the percentage of students who were threatened or injured with a weapon at school, who missed school because of safety concerns, and who were bullied at school. Although the percentage of students who were bullied at school decreased between 2013 and 2020, the percentage sharply increased from 2021 to 2023.
Female and LGBTQ+ high-school students were more likely than their peers to experience violence. LGBTQ+ students were particularly vulnerable. In 2023, nearly three in 10 LGBTQ+ students reported being bullied at school and nearly two in 10 reported missing school because of safety concerns. LGBTQ+ students were also more likely than cisgender and heterosexual students to be threatened or injured with a weapon at school.
This data makes it understandable that girls and LGBTQ+ students also lead the way in mental health issues, depression, feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and most distressingly, suicidal ideation. The majority of girls (52%) reported these feelings, while a much larger majority of LGBTQ students (65%) reported them. Also, these two groups are most likely to feel isolated at school and unsupported by their schools.
Clearly, the report indicates that America’s teenagers, especially girls and LGBTQ+ teens are at high levels of risk. This report should be a wake-up call to families and particularly educators that these problems need to be addressed.
Upon the report’s release earlier this fall, the CDC disseminated it to various health agencies and organizations throughout the country. In fact, PGN learned of the report’s release by way of Philadelphia’s Office of HIV Planning.
When contacted by PGN for comment, the PA Dept. of Education (PDE) Press Secretary Erin James explained that, given the large amounts of data in the report, and the vast number of people at PDE who have to study that data, it would be some time before PDE could comment on how the report may impact or influence the agency’s plans.
However, she pointed out that as of Nov. 15, PDE coincidentally released new guidelines to schools to address issues and problems students face, many of which are pointed out by the report.
In a written statement, James said, “…the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued guidance to school leaders across Pennsylvania about new guidelines to help educators create an inclusive learning environment for all K-12 students. The Common Ground Framework, outlined on PDE’s website, is designed to empower K-12 teachers with the skills they need to help all students achieve academic success and reach their full potential — no matter their background. PDE is proud to offer this resource as an improvement on previously issued guidance, with an expanded focus on digital literacy, mental health, and trauma — real issues that impact those in all spaces of learning within every Pennsylvania community.”