Men's programs started in 1998
The young men's programs started in 1998 in collaboration with the Texas Attorney General's Office and the Texas Department of State Health Services. Programs include the Fatherhood Initiative Program, which provides resources for young fathers ages 15 to 25, and the Specialized Male Clinic, which was established in 2003 to address the medical needs of young men between the ages of 17 and 25.
The male clinic is seen as a key element in the prevention of untimely pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, said Peggy Smith, Ph.D., director of the Baylor Teen Health Clinic and professor of obstetrics and gynecology.
"Health services for adolescent men often have been overlooked, but recent studies have shown that educating young men about their overall health and encouraging them to visit the doctor when they're ill and for routine checkups results in more responsible behavior," Smith said.
Sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS and teen pregnancy are especially a concern among low-income teenagers, added Ruth Buzi, L.C.S.W., Ph.D., assistant professor and director of social services for the Baylor Teen Health Clinic. "We've always focused on young women who were uninsured or underinsured, but young men are part of the equation too, and they need our services."
