CONNECTIONS From the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

Mobile Version - November - December 2020

From the Director - Dr. Jonathan Mermin

CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Summary and Trends Report shows our nation's youth continue to struggle with their mental health. Key findings from data collected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic include:

  • More than 1 in 3 students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2019, representing a 40% increase since 2009 (26% to 37%).
  • Female students were nearly twice as likely as male students to attempt suicide (20% vs. 11%).
  • Almost half of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) students (47%) and nearly one-third of students not sure of their sexual identity (30%) said they seriously considered suicide – far more than heterosexual students (15%).

The 2019 report featured trends in sexual minority (SMY) youth health risk behaviors for the first time, with persistent disparities in mental health and other health indicators for SMY youth. Despite these concerning data, we know the right kind of support can turn these trends around, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including ensuring a sense of caring and belonging at school and at home and supportive school environments. CDC supports programs and policies that maintain and improve mental health among all students, including SMY.

Reported Tuberculosis in the United States, 2019

CDC's Reported Tuberculosis in the United States compiles TB surveillance data collected for U.S. TB cases counted in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic directly affected the United States. TB data can also be viewed in CDC's AtlasPlus. Public health services continue to be strained by the pandemic, including TB control services.

Once again, the United States reported the lowest number of TB cases (8,916) and the lowest incidence rate on record (2.7 cases per 100,000).

Social Determinants of Health Among Adults with Diagnosed HIV Infection, 2018

CDC recently released a new HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report. This report examines census tract-level social determinants of health (SDH) among adults with diagnosed HIV infection in 2018 in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Key findings include the highest HIV diagnosis rates were observed among those who lived in census tracts where most residents lived in poverty, had less than a high school diploma, had the lowest median household income, and did not have health insurance or health coverage plan. It also showed associations between these factors and viral suppression.