Transgender Identity and Experiences of Violence Victimization, Substance Use, Suicide Risk, and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among High School Students — 19 States and Large Urban School Districts, 2017 | MMWR

Transgender Identity and Experiences of Violence Victimization, Substance Use, Suicide Risk, and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among High School Students — 19 States and Large Urban School Districts, 2017 | MMWR

Transgender teens at higher risk of serious health issues, CDC finds

A new CDC report finds that high school students who are transgender are at a higher risk of serious health issues than their cisgender peers. Researchers looked at data from a 2017 survey of teens that spanned 10 states and nine urban school districts. Nearly 2 percent of high school students surveyed identified as transgender. Those students were more likely to report being victims of violence, having attempted suicide, and using cocaine, heroin, and prescription opioids. "Taking steps to create safe learning environments and provide access to culturally competent physical and mental health care might be important first steps to improving the health of transgender youths," the authors conclude.