"The SBIRT policy statement reinforces the recommendation that pediatricians screen all adolescent patients for alcohol and drug use as part of routine medical health care."
The statement also says that adolescents tested for other sexually transmitted infections should be tested for HIV at the same visit, and testing in emergency departments and urgent care settings in high-risk areas can reach youth who do not receive regular preventive services.
The policy statement not only outlines the screening that should take place, but addresses the barriers, both real and perceived, that pediatricians must overcome to promote routine testing, including matters of parental consent, confidentiality, and disclosure.
"This statement is timely because we are seeing increased infections in young males who have sex with men," Dr. Emmanuel said, noting that the fact that a significant proportion of infected patients are unaware of their status not only contributes to the transmission of infection to others, but also puts their health at greater risk because of the damaging impact of untreated HIV infection on the immune system.
"We hope that this statement will increase awareness that HIV continues to be a disease of youth and young adults, and that HIV testing should be considered a routine part of health care and a step to increased HIV prevention," she said, adding: "This statement promotes the goal of making discussions of sexual risk and HIV testing a routine part of adolescent health care."
Any conflicts of interest of members of the AAP committees have been resolved through a process approved by the AAP board of directors, according to the statements.