by Kait Scalisi | Jan 24, 2014 | News
Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from around the country.
Federal Task Force to Target Campus Sexual Assaults (LA Times)
A new White House report concludes that college women have the highest risk of being sexually assaulted. The report prompted President Obama to create a federal task force to address the issue. The announcement comes at a time when there has been an increase in both federal complaints under Title IX and the Clery Act as well as in student activism encouraging survivors to speak out.
VA Republicans Ready to Defend Same-Sex Marriage Ban (Washington Post)
Some Virginia legislators are angry with Mark Herring, their Attorney General, for filing a lawsuit to declare the state’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. Herring does not feel comfortable upholding a law he says “violates Virginians’ fundamental constitutional rights.” Many worry this recent announcement will make it hard for the bipartisan government to get much done during this term.
State Takes Aim at Sex Trafficking of Minors (The Courant)
Connecticut child-protection, law-enforcement, health, and school officials are working on a more cohesive response to combat sex trafficking in the state. In addition to new laws that toughen penalties and expand the definition of trafficking, the state will hold its first major conference on the topic next week.
Female Inmates at Alabama prison Forced to Have Sex with Guards (Mail Online)
Another report by the US Department of Justice shows systematic and widespread sexual violence occurring in Alabama’s Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women. The report, based on dozens of interviews and hundreds of letters, found that a quarter of inmates had been abused, a third of employees had sex with an inmate, and incidents go unreported for fear of retaliation. State officials were not surprised by the results.
NIH Research Network Finds Many Youth Have High Levels of HIV (National Institutes of Health)
A new study of over 800 youth in 14 cities found that young men who have sex with men have the highest levels of HIV. The youth all were part of a government treatment and research network. The study concludes that it is important to get individuals into treatment early both for their own health and to avoid unknowingly sharing the virus.
by Kait Scalisi | Jan 17, 2014 | News
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.
by Kait Scalisi | Jan 10, 2014 | News
Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from around the country.
One-third of Teens Do Not Discuss Sexual Health with Physicians (Medical News Today)
This study examined discussions about sexual health between physicians and adolescents. Researchers recorded office visits and found that two-thirds included any discussion of sex. Talks generally lasted more than 35 seconds and were started by the physician. They were more likely if patients were female, older, or African-American, when confidentiality was clear, and during longer visits.
AHF Partners with GMAD for New Brooklyn Sexual Health Clinic (4-Traders)
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) opened its newest Men’s Wellness Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., at the Gay Men of African Descent’s (GMAD) facility. The Center’s goal is to make STD testing easy to access and affordable as well as to encourage regular sexual health screenings.
Transgender Rights Referendum Reaches Next Step (AP)
An effort to put a California law allowing transgender students to choose bathrooms and sports teams is one step closer to going to a vote. Opponents of the law, which went into effect Jan 1, gathered enough signatures to make the law eligible. Counties must now verify each signature to see if there is enough to put the referendum on the ballot in November.
Survey Finds High Rate of Rape, Sexual Assault at Montana State Prison (Missoulian.com)
A survey of inmates in nearly 600 prisons identified a Montana State Prison as having one of the highest rates of sexual violence. The prison reported rates of inmate-on-inmate and staff-on-inmate violence at four and five times higher than the national average respectively. Prison officials disagree with the results.
Ohio also reported higher-than-average rates. For more information, click here.
Cornell Revamps Sexual Assault Policies, Takes Proactive Approach (Huffington Post)
Rather than wait for a sexual assault controversy to occur, Cornell officials began changing policies immediately. The cases are handled by a different administrator and have a less rigorous burden of proof for the victim. The changes were made based on both a student-faculty council and extensive input from students.
Reaching Out to Prevent HIV in High-Risk Youth (USA Today)
Chicago is leading the way in creative programs that reach youth at-risk for HIV. A team of three hospitals, 60 community organizations, and dozens of health care providers are creating unique programs that reach youth in their spaces (e.g. bathhouses). Additionally, they’re excelling at the “linkage to care” model which focuses on the patients and helps them overcome individual barriers
by Kait Scalisi | Nov 22, 2013 | News
Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from around the country.
Illinois Becomes 16th State to Allow Same-Sex Marriage (CNN)
Another week, another state that legalizes same-sex marriage. This week, Illinois passed the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. The measure, which had support from both IL’s governor and President Obama, will go into effect in June 2014.
Orgasmic Inequality in Hookups (NY Times)
Research suggests women are less likely to have orgasms during uncommitted sexual encounters than in serious relationships. At the same time, researchers say young women are becoming equal partners in hookup culture, often just as willing as young men to venture into sexual relationships without emotional ties.
Graphene Used to Create More Pleasurable Condoms (The Telegraph)
In its efforts to promote condom use and decrease both STIs and unplanned pregnancies, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded over $100,000 to a British researcher who wants to create a condom that is thinner, safer and enhances the natural sensations of intercourse. The condom would be made out of a carbon material called graphene.
Senate Begins Debate on Military Sexual Assault Plans (USA Today)
On Wednesday, the Senate began considering two plans to change how the military handles sexual assault. The first is supported by the Senate and replaces commanders with miltary lawyers. The second, suppported by Pentagon leaders, allows commanders to determine what cases get prosecuted by removes several layers of their authority.
Massachusetts Legislative Committee Readies Sex Education Bill (MassLive.com)
A new MA bill that would require schools to teach abstinence alongside contraception and disease prevention was released this week. The bill also requires all lessons to be scientifically accurate and age-appropriate and teaches students to negotiate relationships and sexual activity.
Wash. Officials Tasked With Telling Exes They’ve Been Exposed to Gonorrhea (NY Daily News)
Public health officials in Washington state will now notify infected individuals’ partners that they’ve been exposed to gonorrhea. The service is free and anoymous with the goal fo preventing the spread of the disease.
Friday, Nov. 15, 2013
Hawaii’s Senate Gives Final Approval to Same-Sex Marriage (NPR)
On Wednesday, after calling the legislature into a special vote, Hawaii’s governer signed a law making same sex marriage legal in the state. Weddings can begin on December 2.
Air Force Officer Who Led Sex-Assault Unit Cleared of Assault Charge (U.S. News on NBCNews.com)
The former head of the military’s sexual assault prevention program was found not guilty of assaulting a woman after his attorney successfully argued there were inconsistencies in the accuser’s story. A female general took over the colonel’s former role.
Being a Bully Linked to Casual, Risky Sex (NBCNews.com)
A study of over 9,000 high school students reveals a connection between acting as a bully or being bullied and engaging in either causual sex or sex while drunk or high. The correlation remained even when researchers took into account other
factors that are known to increase risky sexual behaviors. The link was strongest for heterosexual teens.
New HIV/AIDS Report Card Shows Improvement, But Things Can Be Better (DCist.com)
An annual HIV/AIDS report card for DC shows declines in the number of newly diagnosed cases. The report argues, however, that number is still too high and offers suggestions to improve the numbers even more. It also reveals inadequacies in the District’s HIV/AIDS education and poor communication between public health officials and clinicians.
Congress Lifts Ban on HIV-Positive Organ Transplants for HIV-Positive Patients on the Wait List (Cleveland.com)
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act. The act makes it possible for patients with HIV to receive organs from seropositive donors. The act had bipartisan support along with that of the major transplant groups in the US.
Faced with Record HIV Rates, This Florida School District is Pushing to Expand Sex Ed (Think Progress)
As the HIV epidemic worsens in Broward County, Florida, school officials are pushing to incorporate comprehensive sex education. The changes would require schools to submit annual reports detailed sex ed classes so that the quality of instruction can be evaluated.
by Kait Scalisi | Nov 1, 2013 | News
Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from around the country.
Appeals Court Lifts Injunction on Texas Abortion Laws (LA Times)
A federal appeals court has reversed the decision of a Texas judge that blocks restrictions on abortions. The court ruled there was ample evidence to support the admitting privileges requirement but added an exception to the limits on medication abortions.
Senate to Vote on Gay Rights Bill by Thanksgiving (USA Today)
For the first time since 1996, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is receiving a full Senate vote. The Act, supported by President Obama and legislators on both sides of the aisle, bans workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Close-Up of HIV Virus Could Help AIDS Vaccine Research (LA Times)
Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute have captured molecular images of HIV that provide clues on how the virus infiltrates human immune cells. Such imaging provides vital information for the development of a vaccine.
Planned Parenthood Brings Sex Ed Straight to Teens’ Cell Phones (Think Progress)
Planned Parenthood is using adolescents’ obsession with cell phones and social media to teach them about healthy relationships, sexual readiness, and birth control. The organization has developed three age-appropriate sets of online tools to engage elementary, middle, and high-school aged adolescents.
Trustees Approve New Sex Ed Policy (Reno Gazette-Journal)
After their sex ed curriculum was called “discriminatory and homophobic, Reno school officials have approved a new sex ed policy. Unlike the current curriculum, the new policy calls for a well-planned, scientifically-accurate, and comprehensive sequence of lessons.
