Gay, lesbian, and bisexual high school students are significantly more likely to participate in risky behaviors and experience bullying and sexual violence, according to a recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC study on Health Risks Among Sexual Minority Youth found that 8 percent of the high school population, or approximately 1.3 million students, identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Compared to their straight peers, these teens are more than three times as likely to have been raped (18 percent gay, lesbian, and bisexual vs. 5 percent straight) and more than twice as likely to have experienced sexual dating violence (23 percent vs. 9 percent) and physical dating violence (18 percent vs. 8 percent). The study also found that 10 percent of these students reported missing school in the past 30 days due to safety concerns.
More than 40 percent of the gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens surveyed reported having seriously considered suicide and 29 percent reported having attempted suicide during the past 12 months. These students were found to be up to five times more likely than other students to report using illegal drugs. The study suggests these students are also at a significantly higher risk for pregnancy and STDs like HIV and syphilis. Jonathan Mermin, a senior official at the CDC, told CBS News the numbers were "alarming and unacceptable."
"The scope and magnitude on a national scale are heartbreaking," Mermin said.
The study is the first ever to survey gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens on a national scale. Its results will inform the work of the CDC, which partners with federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and social services to develop policies to benefit sexual minority youth. The health institute recommended the results of the survey suggest an urgent need for a "collective action to keep these students safe."
The CDC's official suggestions include public health and school programs to create more welcoming environments for gay, lesbian, and bisexual students, informational campaigns, and outreach towards parents to help them better support their children.
"Nations are judged by the health and well-being of their children," Mermin told the New York Times. "Many would find these levels of physical and sexual violence unacceptable and something we should act on quickly."
