Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from around the country.
Low National Funding for LGBT Health Research Contributes to Inequalities, Analysis Finds (San Diego Gay and Lesbian News)
Between 1989 and 2011, only 05% of the studies funded by the National Institutes of Health looked at the health for LGBT individuals. Further gaps exists within this research, with the emphasis on HIV/AIDS and/or men who have sex with men. Political changes in the early 2000s may have played a role in these results.
Health and Hookups Linked Together for First-Year College Students (Counsel Health)
A new study shows a link between casual sex and female college students’ health. For 13 months, nearly 500 first year females answered questions about their sexual behaviors, their mental health, and STIs. Of those who hooked up more often, depression, sexual victimization, and STIs were more common. STIs were also more common among those who had romantic relationships.
MTV’s ’16 and Pregnant,’ Derided by Some, May Resonate as a Cautionary Tale (New York Times)
An examintion of birth records and Neilsen televsion ratings shows that MTV’s 16 and Pregnant may have helped prevent nearly 20,000 teen pregnancies in 2010. The study also explores how the show influenced behavior, concluding that it encouraged conversations, both online and in person, about sex and contraception.
Sexual Assault Reports Drop at Service Academies (Fort Hood Sentinel)
During the 2012-2013 academic year, reports of sexual assault decreased in two U.S. military academies. Of these reports, most were about events that took place after individuals’ enlisted. The academies themselves appear to be following reporting policies and trying new prevention initiatives. However, those surveyed still identified peer pressure as a major barrier to reporting.