At-risk youth
Disease Information
Overview
Many adolescents are healthy, but some may be at an increased risk for becoming pregnant, acquiring a sexually transmitted disease (STD), abusing substances or developing an eating disorder.
Boston Children's Hospital's Adolescent/Young Adult Medical Practice serves adolescents and young adults that are at an increased risk for developing health-related problems. In particular, the Boston HAPPENS (HIV Adolescent Provider and Peer Education Network for Services) program serves HIV-positive youth and youth at high risk for acquiring HIV infection.
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Homeless youth and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth are at increased risk for acquiring HIV infection.
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Comprehensive care is necessary for HIV-positive youth and youth at high risk for HIV infection, due to all of the medical and psychosocial issues associated with HIV infection.
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The Boston HAPPENS Program strives to connect these youth to needed social and medical services by meeting youths where and when they choose. Boston HAPPENS staff provide confidential care settings and facilitated transportation. They provide high quality, accessible, youth-oriented, culturally sensitive care for HIV-positive, homeless and at-risk youth.
Sexuality and homelessness risk A Children’s Hospital Boston led study of more than 6,300 Massachusetts public high school students found that 15 percent of bisexual teens are homeless, 25 percent of lesbian or gay teens are homeless and only 3 percent of heterosexual teens are homeless. This may suggest that some lesbian, gay and bisexual teens could lack support from their families. Learn more about this study, and resources available to GLB teens in the Children’s newsroom.
