New research presented at AIDS 2016 indicated no significant differences in several HIV-related risk behaviors among heterosexual, gay and bisexual adolescent males in the United States. Young gay and bisexual men, however, were found to be more susceptible to contracting HIV largely because their partners are more likely to be infected with HIV, according to a press release from the recent conference in Durban, South Africa. The data, presented by CDC researchers, is the first nationally representative look at HIV-related risk behaviors among gay, bisexual and heterosexual male students in ninth through 12th grades. Proportions were similar among all groups who answered questions about several behaviors, including ever had sexual intercourse, currently sexually active, had sexual intercourse with four or more partners, and used a condom the last time they had sex. The gay and bisexual male study population had a 57-fold increased risk for contracting HIV compared with heterosexual young men due to the prevalence of infection in their male sex partners.

Helio, July 27, 2016

Despite the fact that 1 in 3 clinicians have seen no change in parental acceptance of childhood vaccinations in the past year, a new report from Medscape suggests an increase in parents' agreeing to have their children immunized. The 2016 Medscape Vaccine Acceptance Report surveyed more than 1,500 pediatricians, family medicine physicians, public health physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to gain insights into clinician perceptions about the current levels of vaccine acceptance, refusal, and requests to delay the vaccine schedule from parents.

PR Newswire, July 27, 2016

MAP Health Management, LLC, recently released addiction treatment outcomes data that indicates the majority of adults who enter in-patient treatment for opioid dependency are young males. MAP reviewed patient data from 30 addiction treatment facilities, including a total of 2,281 individuals who sought in-patient treatment for opioid dependence, during a 12-month period from 2015 to 2016. The data set consists of individuals who, upon completing treatment, participated in extended, post-recovery support delivered by professionals using telehealth practices.

PR Newswire, July 27, 2016

Last week, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a clinical report outlining guidance for pediatricians on providing sexuality education to the children and adolescents in their care. As one of the most influential medical associations in the country, AAP brings, with this report, added weight to longstanding calls for comprehensive sex education. The report offers guidance for clinicians on incorporating conversations about sexual and reproductive health into routine medical visits and summarizes the research supporting comprehensive sexuality education. It acknowledges the crucial role pediatricians play in supporting their patients' healthy development, making them key stakeholders in the promotion of young people's sexual health. Ultimately, the report could bolster efforts by parents and educators to increase access to comprehensive sexuality education and better equip young people to grow into sexually healthy adults.

Rewire, July 26, 2016

Participation in sports and exercise linked to lower opioid use

Study Rundown:   Opioids, including hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin), codeine, and morphine, are effective pain-relievers; however, they also carry a risk of dependency. Adolescent athletes, particularly those involved in high-injury sports such as football and wrestling, may be prescribed such medications more commonly than their non-athletic peers to treat sports-related injuries. In some cases, such exposure could lead to addiction and nonmedical prescription opioid use (NPOU) with serious consequences. To investigate whether sports participation in adolescence was associated with an increased risk for NPOU (and, in particular, heroin use), authors analyzed 18 years of cross-sectional data on 8 th   and 10 th   grade participants in the Monitoring the Future (MTF) study. Contrary to what may have been expected, results suggested that adolescents who engaged in sports or exercise had lower odds of both NPOU and heroin use. Further, among those who reported ever taking heroin, results argued against drug use beginning with sports-related injury and progressing to NPOU and heroin use. A significant limitation of this study was its broad consideration of sports and exercise, as this design could fail to identify a subpopulation of high-risk adolescent athletes. Type of athletic involvement, ever obtaining a sports-related injury, and other possible "initiators" such as opioid prescription for wisdom teeth removal could all be confounders. Thus, while the study's findings are consistent with a benefit from sports/exercise participation for opioid avoidance, judicious prescribing practice is still of critical importance.

2 Minute Medicine, July 25, 2016

Girls are ganging up on boys in a new cyberbullying craze called "roasting", a digital safety expert has warned. The new bullying takes place via mobile apps such as WhatsApp, Instagram or Facebook, where girls pick on a boy and vent the most offensive abuse until the victim "completely cracks".

Telegraph, July 25, 2016

Recent clinical research and a 2015 documentary are exploring the dangers and ramifications of telling our boys to stifle their feelings, bottle up emotions and embrace the stereotype of the "stoic male." At the same time, experts in psychology, gender and child psychiatry are beginning to understand that by not allowing boys to express and understand their feelings, we are allowing them to fall behind in life - and even putting their physical health at risk. "It's as if we are telling our boys to hit the brake and gas pedal at the same time," said Judith V. Jordan, Ph.D., director of the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute at the Wellesley University Center for Women. Jordan, a pioneer in gender studies, has devoted a great deal of her research to the emotional and physical health of men and boys.

Orange County Register, July 25, 2016

The Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF), managed by the HHS Office of Adolescent Health, serves expectant and parenting teens, women, fathers, and their families through grants to states and tribes.  Efforts are underway to build the capacity of PAF grantees to recruit, retain, and engage young fathers. All PAF materials for grantees are available free for other programs serving young people to use. Traditionally, programs serving expectant and parenting teens target their outreach and services toward young mothers. However, research shows that supporting young fathers can have significant and positive effects on both young fathers and their children. PAF provides funds to grantees to implement programs that support expectant and parenting young mothers and fathers, thus providing an important opportunity to improve the well-being of families. 

Office of Adolescent Health, June 16, 2016

The Weekly News Roundup is produced by The Partnership for Male Youth and is released every Monday. 

For more information contact Dennis J. Barbour, JD. News Roundup editor and President/CEO of the Partnership, at [email protected].