June 7, 2011 The largest federal survey of sexual orientation
and risk behavior in teens shows gay and bisexual youths are
more likely to engage in activities that place their health at
risk -- like alcohol use, sex or drug use -- than their
heterosexual peers. The CDC report on results from the Youth
Risk Behavior Surveillance System (2001-09) included data from
large population-based samples of public school students in
grades nine through 12; eligible sites were those that asked
questions about sexual identity, sex of partner, or both. The
survey results, which vary by site, indicated: "Many risk
behaviors are related to how people feel about themselves and
the environment they're in," noted Laura Kann, of CDC's Division
of Adolescent and School Health, who presented the findings at
the first-ever Department of Education summit for gay, lesbian
and bisexual youth in Washington. The study, "Sexual Identity,
Sex of Sexual Contacts, and Health Risk Behaviors Among Students
in Grades 9-12 -- Youth Risk Behavio