title: Inequities in screening for sexually transmitted infections in African American adolescents: can health policy help?
abstract: Although rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in African Americans are higher than other populations, there are disparities in the screening and treatment of STIs for African American adolescents. Many African Americans distrust the health care system, resulting in a reluctance to seek health care. Adolescents may lack access to and the resources to pay for health care. This article reviews historical events believed to influence African American distrust of the health care system, discusses socioeconomic factors influencing adolescent access to services, and offers descriptions of services available to assist adolescents in receiving preventative services. Last, potential health policy solutions for nurses are noted.
authors.affiliation: East Carolina University School of Nursing, Greenville, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Donna W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Roberson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D011203:Poverty / Q000208:ethnology; D011287:Prejudice; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016746:Transcultural Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D035502:Trust; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology