Objective: To describe the current health of the adolescent population, 10-19 years, focusing on changes by single year of age; and to examine differences in health by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and gender. Methods: Data from nationally representative surveys, including Youth Risk Behavior Survey, National Health Interview Survey, National Hospital Discharge Survey, National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, Current Population Surveys, and from the National Vital Statistics System were analyzed. Measures considered include population demographics, risk behaviors, health status, reproductive health, and access to care. Results: In 1998, 17% of all adolescents lived in families with incomes below the poverty level. In 1997, one-third of adolescents in poor families were uninsured compared with 8% of those in nonpoor families. There were 493,000 births to adolescents 13-19 years. Half of all high school students had ever been sexually active; more than one-third reported current cigarette smoking; one-half reported current alcohol; and 18% reported carrying a gun or other weapon in the past 30 days. Motor vehicle injuries and firearm-related injuries were the leading causes of death among adolescents; deaths from both causes increased sharply with age. Conclusions: Overall, the majority of adolescents are healthy when assessed by traditional measures of morbidity and mortality. Many adolescents are engaging in risk behaviors with immediate or long-term consequences to their health and well-being. Many measures of adolescent health change significantly over the age span 10-19 years. Disparities exist in adolescent health by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and gender.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Describe current adolescent health status in a broad range of categories and topics 2. Identify those measures with the greatest impact on adolescent health and well-being 3. Assess changes in adolescent health status by age 4. Evaluate race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status disparities in adolescent health
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Statistics
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.