Almost 1 in 4 adolescents have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). These infections are preventable through safe sexual practices and routine screening. Pediatricians are the first line of clinical care for adolescents and are well positioned to offer sexual and reproductive health care counseling and services to their patients; yet, there is a paucity of sexual health screening provided at routine health supervision visits. This article addresses the epidemiology of STIs in adolescents, reviews the evidence of current clinical practice, presents recommended STI screening from government and medical agencies, and offers strategies to address barriers to providing care for adolescents and for sexual health screening in primary care.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common female reproductive disorder that often manifests during adolescence and is associated with disruptions in health-related quality of life. Prompt evaluation and clinical support after diagnosis may prevent associated complications and optimize overall health management. This article incorporates the most recent evidence and consensus guidelines to provide an updated review of the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and management strategies for adolescents with this complex condition. We will review the recent international guidelines on PCOS; because the diagnosis of PCOS remains controversial, management of this condition is inconsistent. In 2019, PCOS remains a common, yet neglected, condition, in part, because of the lack of agreement around both diagnosis and management.

Youth suicide is a national and global public health crisis. Pediatricians can use primary and secondary prevention strategies to intervene with youth before or after the onset of suicidal behaviors. Universal suicide risk screening programs can be used to identify youth in medical settings who may otherwise pass through the health care setting with undetected suicide risk. Pediatricians are uniquely positioned to help foster resilience in their young patients and equip families of at-risk youth with safety plans and lethal means safety counseling. Pediatricians on the frontlines of this critical public health crisis require education and training in detecting suicide risk, managing those who screen positive, and connecting their patients to much needed mental health interventions and treatments. Evidence-based suicide risk screening and assessment tools, paired with interventions, are feasible and potentially life-saving in the medical setting.

Problematic Internet use (PIU) by adolescents is of growing concern among both parents and pediatricians. Early controversies may have contributed to challenges in defining and measuring PIU. A variety of screening tools have evolved, aligned with different constructs of PIU, although a validated screening tool does exist. Current data and American Academy of Pediatrics policy reflect evidence-driven screening for PIU for all youth.

Various states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes and/or decriminalized recreational marijuana use. These changes coincide with a decrease in perceived harmfulness of the drug and an increase in its use among youth. This change is of critical concern because of the potential harmful impact of marijuana exposure on adolescents. Marijuana use has been associated with several adverse mental health outcomes, including increased incidence of addiction and comorbid substance use, suicidality, and new-onset psychosis. Negative impacts on cognition and academic performance have also been observed. As the trend toward legalization continues, the pediatric community will be called on to navigate the subsequent challenges that arise with changing policies. Pediatricians are uniquely positioned to provide innovative care and educate youth and families on the ever-evolving issues pertaining to the impact of marijuana legalization on communities. In this article, we present and analyze the most up-to-date data on the effects of legalization on adolescent marijuana use, the effects of adolescent use on mental health and cognitive outcomes, and the current interventions being recommended for use in pediatric office settings.

In response to the growing impact of the current opioid public health crisis in the United States on adolescents and young adults, pediatricians have an expanding role in identifying opioid use early, preventing escalation of risky use, reducing opioid-related harms, and delivering effective therapies. Research and expert consensus suggest the use of brief interventions focused on reducing risks associated with ongoing opioid use and using motivational interviewing strategies to engage youth in treatment. Because fatal opioid overdose remains a major cause of opioid-related mortality among youth, delivering overdose education as part of any visit in which a youth endorses opioid use is one evidence-based strategy to decrease the burden of opioid-related mortality. For youth that are injecting opioids, safe injection practices and linkage to needle or syringe exchanges should be considered to reduce complications from injection drug use. It is crucial that youth be offered treatment at the time of diagnosis of an opioid use disorder (OUD), including medications, behavioral interventions, and/or referral to mutual support groups. The 2 medications commonly used for office-based OUD treatment in adolescents are extended-release naltrexone (opioid antagonist) and buprenorphine (partial opioid agonist), although there is a significant treatment gap in prescribing these medications to youth, especially adolescents <18 years of age. Addiction is a pediatric disease that pediatricians and adolescent medicine physicians are uniquely poised to manage, given their expertise in longitudinal, preventive, and family- and patient-centered care. Growing evidence supports the need for integration of OUD treatment into primary care.

A remarkable story which came to a climax on February 23 this year when OM Ireland took possession of the deeds to Lacken House as their new headquarters and ministry centre.

Canadian by birth, but Papua New Guinean at heart, Anna Stanton shares how God led her to serve with OM Ireland.

OM Ireland's community outreach team participates in one of Ireland's biggest events: the 2011 National Ploughing Championships in Athy, Co. Kildare from 20 -22 September.

OM Ireland's Immersion team reflects on their first month as interns in churches around Ireland.

The Creative Arts team perform their Christmas show for school children all over Ireland in the course of three weeks.

Participants from all over the world joined together in Ireland for two weeks of training and outreach in partnership with local churches.

OM Ireland's two multi-media puppet shows perform over 75 times in schools around Ireland. The gospel message is expected to be heard by thousands.

St. Patrick's Day celebrates the patron saint of Ireland known for bringing Christianity to Ireland. Hundreds of years later, OM Ireland brings the same message.

OM Sweden joined OM Ireland for outreach over the Easter holiday in Carlow town.

OM Ireland's Mobilising director shares her thoughts about going "into all the world."

A word of encouragement about being mobilised from a native who stayed in-country, yet encourages all to "go into all the world."

One Irish family experienced the transforming love of God...one woman at a time.

For Irish teens Nicole and Saoirse, interacting with their church’s Immersion student, Bree, led to an understanding of the gospel.

The Bailie family serve with their local church as part of OM in Ireland's Philippian Project.

Africa Trek Coordinator Eduard* reflects on God's gifts: his life, his wife and 13 participants sharing the Gospel with Topnaar and Himba peoples in Namibia.

Walvis Bay, Namibia:: The Vice President of Namibia officially opens Logos Hope as she visits the country.

Walvis Bay, Namibia :: Local women attend a challenging discipleship event on board Logos Hope

A new missions experience in Namibia is not as much a programme as it is a journey.

Three men arrive home safely after walking 2000 kilometres to raise awareness about the 2000 languages still without the Bible.

God changes teens' lives during TeenStreet Queensland in Australia at the beginning of July.

On 12 December, OM Australia settled on their first-ever permanent base after renting for over 20 years.

On 19 March, OM Australia moved into their new home, a place that will help mobilise more people and finances into missions.

On 1 July 350 teens and leaders poured into the University of Queensland, Australia, for five days of fun and discipleship.

Peter* from MAP Australia has a Muslim friend who attended a church camp. His friend has never been the same since.

MAP Australia hosts Bound for Paradise, a week-long outreach to Muslims from the Persian Gulf in Queensland, Australia, from 25-29 August.

Team members of MAP Australia seek to live out the message of the Gospel to all people, no matter how sympathetic or opposed.

On 22 August, 150 people climbed in the inaugural OM Boonah Freedom Climb to raise awareness and funding for the Jogini girls of India.

A former Afghan fighter discovers Jesus Christ in the Qur’an.

OM Pakistan restarted ministry in one province to reach the least reached by forming small discipleship groups and training local believers to be disciples of Christ.

After 23 years of reaching out to refugees and immigrants in Germany, one OM couple have relocated to Canada to continue their ministry.

It matters not if we are from 200 countries; we are one in Christ and shall be for eternity. OMNI-team member Greg Kernaghan about ‘globalisation’.

Sport creates a platform for evangelism and discipleship in Ukraine.

Extreme Leadership Training camps create unity in Ukraine.

OM Ukraine's sports team equips and trains churches in using non-traditional sports in their summer camps.

After having some difficulty with the campers and teen leaders, OMer Stephen explains the significance of the cross and following Jesus—many respond positively.

Church planting and Business 4 Transformation go hand-in-hand in Ukraine.

A Christian football coach experiences what he says is the best gift from God, something “so much more than winning”.

During the summer months, OM Ukraine in Odessa facilitated a camp, during which the Lord touched the hearts of many children.

An OM Ukraine leader reports that amidst ongoing conflict, deep changes are taking place that OM Ukraine expects will lead to spiritual harvest.

As war continues in the east of Ukraine, refugees flood Odessa. OM cannot turn a blind eye to its new neighbours.

OM Ukraine Odessa invites children with autism and their families to a two-day summer camp.

OM supported the Ukrainian Military Ministry in order to print trauma counselling books

A 29 year old recounts how his family fled the war zone and came to stay at OM Odessa centre

A 17 year old high school student shares about how she fled from the war zone and came to stay at OM Odessa's centre.