By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Teens And STDs: 3 Best Practices For Mitigating Risk
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Hospital Administration > Teens And STDs: 3 Best Practices For Mitigating Risk
DiagnosticseHealthHospital AdministrationPublic Health

Teens And STDs: 3 Best Practices For Mitigating Risk

Larry Alton
Larry Alton
Share
6 Min Read
Teens And STDs: 3 Best Practices For Mitigating Risk
SHARE

The past several years have brought positive changes in teen sexual practices. Teen pregnancy rates are at an all-time low and fewer teens are sexually active than in the recent past. One increasingly serious issue, however, is the rise in STD rates. Those teens who are sexually active are more likely to contract an STD and are unlikely to get tested and receive treatment.

Contents
  • Transforming “The Talk”
  • Set Timelines
  • Go Mobile

Why is there such a gap between, for example, teen pregnancy and STD rates? A combination of abstinence-only sex education, which is proven to be ineffective, and limited access to testing facilities have increased the likelihood of infection. Additionally, teens are engaging in a wider array of sexual behaviors and may not use protection during those activities.

In order to reduce STD rates and improve teen health, providers need to find alternative ways to reach young patients, improve education, and reduce costs so that care is accessible. For many young people, traditional pediatric care and clinics just aren’t working.

Transforming “The Talk”

For many teens, the bulk of their sex education comes from a cursory parental talk and troves of misinformation from their peers. That’s why physicians need to be trained to spot opportunities for honest and informative sex ed that addresses their present concerns.

More Read

The Trends In The Pharmaceutical Industry That Matter Most
MediKidz: Super Heroes for Health Education
Harmful Drug Reactions Get Help from Automated Follow-Ups
Follow These DOs and DON’Ts When Comparing EHR Software
(Some) Docs Launch War on Overutilization

Annual exams and sports physicals are an ideal time to ask questions about sexual activity, but there’s no guarantee that teens will answer you honestly. One way to increase the chances they’ll communicate is by making sure parents have left the room and asking open-ended questions. Be prepared for hypotheticals, questions posed as stories about friends as opposed to personal scenarios. The key is to be armed with facts and statistics to counter all of the false information teens get from their peers.

Finally, when it comes to primary care, doctors should consider offering teens the option of speaking with other providers within the practice. While continuity of care is a great thing, many teens see their pediatricians as proxies for their parents; they’ve been treated by them their whole lives. Seeing a different provider can help them open up about their experiences and concerns.

Set Timelines

Another way to encourage teens to seek STD testing is by communicating with them about appropriate testing timelines. For example, Milwaukee recently experienced a cluster of HIV and syphilis infections and even teens who are aware that they require STD testing may not understand the testing windows for different infections. According to the Health Testing Centers, individuals who have had unprotected sex should be tested 2-3 weeks after the encounter and then again after three months. HIV, in particular, can take up to 3 months to appear on tests, but teens tend to take one “all clear” as the final verdict.

When discussing testing timelines with young patients, it’s important to set up accessible follow-up appointments. Teens are not known for their follow-through; if they need to go to an inaccessible doctors office or need a parent to pay for an appointment, they’re even less likely to get additional tests.

Go Mobile

To bridge the gap between affordable, accessible STD care and current options, healthcare providers need to tune in to what teens themselves are saying. And one common request is for the widespread use of mobile health units. When young people have access to mobile health units at school or other community events and don’t have to miss class or contact a parent to receive sexual health care, they’re more likely to get regularly tested and receive follow-up care. With mobile health units, teens are empowered to make their own healthcare decisions.

Not only are mobile health care units easier for teens to access than traditional office visits, most recognize that these community care services are more affordable than traditional office visits. Teens frequently express that cost is one of the primary barriers to STD testing. Many don’t have jobs and if they don’t want to discuss their sexual behaviors with parents, then they similarly can’t ask for the money for testing. It’s a significant barrier, but hospitals are incentivized to provide these services because it reduces long-term care costs.

Teen STD rates have been on the rise for several years running and if we want to reverse course, doctors need to take action now. It’s time to listen to patient feedback and meet teens where they are. That could be outside their schools or community centers, at sporting events or town fairs. When STD testing is affordable and easy to access, teens are more than happy to undergo testing. They’ve been proactive about pregnancy. Give them the tools to take on STDs as well.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

dental care
Importance of Good Dental Care for Health and Confidence
Dental health Specialties
October 2, 2025
AI in Healthcare
AI in Healthcare: Technology is Transforming the Global Landscape
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
October 1, 2025
Choosing the Right Swimwear for Health and Safety
News
September 30, 2025
sports concussions
Concussion In Sports: How Common They Are And What You Need To Know
Infographics
September 28, 2025

You Might also Like

telehealth security risks
eHealth

5 Things You Need To Know About Online Healthcare Services

July 27, 2020
BHG Partner, Operation Smile
FinanceMedical EducationPublic HealthWellness

From Lake Placid: Doc Generously Donates Surgeries, Resources

October 20, 2015
Socioeconomic status and brain development
FinancePolicy & LawPublic Health

Economic Stress Linked to Poor Brain Development in Children

November 19, 2013
eHealthHealth careTechnology

Forecast for Big Data Jobs in Healthcare

February 3, 2018
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?