Office-Based Care for Sexual Minority Youth

Most sexual minority youth grow up to be healthy adults but they are at risk for adverse health outcomes.

Sponsoring Organization: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

Target Population: Primary Care Pediatricians

Purpose and Objective: Although most sexual minority youth — lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) — grow into healthy adults, they are at greater risk than their heterosexual peers for adverse health outcomes. Homophobia and heterosexism lead to LGTBQ youth being ostracized, stigmatized, and victimized. This technical report updates the AAP 2004 statement on providing office-based care for sexual minority youth.

Key Points

Adolescents may not view themselves as LGBTQ, even though they are having sex with same-sex partners.
LGBTQ youth are at risk for homelessness, substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections…

Reviewing Author

Alain Joffe, MD, MPH, FAAP

Disclosures