Adolescents at Risk for Sexually Transmitted Infection Need More Than the Right Medicine

In the US, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a formidable public health issue, with nearly 20 million new cases annually, one-half of which occur among adolescents and young adults ages 15-24 years.1 Each year, STIs account for $16 billion in healthcare costs.2 Adolescents frequently seek care in emergency departments (EDs), and this population reports high rates of risky behaviors, including early sexual debut, multiple partners, and infrequent condom use.3-6 Rates of STIs are often higher among these youth compared with the general population4-6 and, for many, the ED may be their only contact with a healthcare provider.

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