Rap-related risk. (FYI).

Young black women who spend a lot of time watching rap music videos may be at increased risk of poor health outcomes. (1) Virtually all 522 women in a study of 14-18-year-olds in Birmingham, Alabama, reported watching rap videos, particularly gangsta rap, which often glorifies drug use, violence and sex. Results of multivariate analyses showed that over a 12-month period, women who had high levels of exposure to rap videos were significantly more likely than those with less exposure to have multiple sexual partners (odds ratio, 2.0) and acquire a sexually transmitted disease (1.6). Increased exposure to rap also was associated with elevated odds of using drugs or alcohol (odds ratio, 1.6 for each), hitting a teacher (3.0) and being arrested (2.6). The researchers urge public health practitioners "to educate communities, schools, and advocacy groups about the potential public health risks associated with [black teenage women's] exposure to rap music videos."

(1.) Wingood GM et al., A prospective study of exposure to rap music videos and African American female adolescents' health, American Journal of Public Health, 2003, 93(3):437-439.

FYI is compiled and written by Dore Hollander, executive editor of Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health.