Incidence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is increasing among youth ages 13-24 in the US, with adolescents accounting for nearly 20% of all new infections. Despite recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the majority of adolescents at risk for HIV are not receiving screening. This study aims to describe primary care physician (PCP) knowledge and adherence to HIV screening guidelines as well as beliefs toward, and potential barriers to, routine HIV screening for adolescents in the primary care setting.



Effective interventions aimed at reducing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents will likely have a major impact on public health. Disproportionately high rates of STIs among adolescents and a rising teenage birth rate have resulted in significant social and economic burdens. PolicyLab’s research and intervention work seeks to improve adolescent STI and pregnancy prevention by focusing on the use of non-primary care sites as intervention locations. 

