psych week 4
CHAPTER 10
Adolescent Health
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Copyright © 2022 by Jones and Bartlett Learning, LLC an Ascend Learning Company. www.jblearning.com
Historical Changes in Adolescence (1 of 3)
Referred to as “youth” (before 1904), which had a connotation of semi-independent participation in economic activities
The term “adolescent: was not in common use until G. Stanley Hall’s publication (1904).
Presently seen as a protected transition time (though may not be universally accepted)
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Historical Changes in Adolescence (2 of 3)
Pre-Industrial Revolution
Adolescents and children treated as economic assets
Sometimes fostered out to other families as workers or apprentices
Industrial Revolution (18th and 19th centuries)
Decline in demand for child labor
Increased emphasis on education
Cultural view shift from children as economic assets to beings to be protected
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Historical Changes in Adolescence (3 of 3)
Industrial Revolution (18th and 19th centuries)
Extended period of adolescence and dependency
Opportunity for self-exploration of identity, goals, and personal experimentation
Dependent on socioeconomic status, race, and the legacy of slavery
20th century
Markers of the transition to adulthood pushed to older ages
Separation from adults and greater focus on school and peers
Development of a distinct youth culture
Adolescence viewed as a turbulent period of storm, stress, and risk-taking
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Demographics: What is Adolescence Today?
Age-based definition: usually refers to those who are in the second decade of life
Definition using biological markers such as the beginning and completion of puberty
Social definitions: leaving family of origin, becoming economically independent, or becoming a legally responsible adult
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Demographics: Who Are Adolescents? (1 of 2)
Total adolescent population (10–19 years) increased from 34 million (1990) to ~42 million (2009)
13% of the United States population; 16% of the global population
Becoming increasingly heterogeneous, with the percentage of those who do not consider their heritage primarily European going from 18.5% (1980) to 45% (2025)
87.1% of all young people <18 years lived with two parents in 1970, 67% in 2000
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Demographics: Who Are Adolescents? (2 of 2)
Nearly one in five adolescents lived in poverty (2017)
Most adolescents live in suburbs (54%), followed by central cities (27%), rural areas (19%)
Large racial differences
46% of African-American adolescents living with two parents, compared with two-thirds of all adolescents
More than 50% of all African-American youth living in low income or poverty, compared to 1 in 5 for all adolescents
Globally, road injuries, AIDS-related conditions, suicide, lower respiratory infections, and interpersonal violence continue to be leading causes of death for adolescents.
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Adolescent Health Status
Generally healthy; exceptions include disparities and unhealthy behaviors
Some health problems of adolescents are preventable.
Certain subpopulations have poorer health status than others.
Several health-related behaviors result in significant adult morbidity and mortality.
The health of adolescents will affect the health of succeeding generations, and the economy.
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Data Sources for Adolescent Health
CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)
National Health Interview Survey
Others: National Survey of Family Growth, The National Survey of Drug Use and Health, University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future project, National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health
Population-based surveys provide the best estimates of adolescent health status.
Most funded and fielded by federal agencies
Concerns remain about the comprehensiveness of data collected and the validity and reliability of self-reported data
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Limitations of Data Sources
Differing age categories
Some do not include nonstudents and higher risk teens, socioeconomic status, indicators of most at risk, gender identity, or sexual orientation
Some require active parental consent.
Inconsistency in reporting behaviors (e.g., weight control activities)
Concerns remain about the comprehensiveness of data collected and the validity and reliability of self-reported data
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Data on Well-Being of Adolescents
Positive factors about adolescents prevent and lessen harm from risky behavior
Indicators: rates of high school graduation, volunteering, attending religious services
Parental connectedness and school engagement as positive markers of adolescent well-being
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What Influences Adolescent Health
Social determinants of health are the “conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age” that can have profound effects on the health benefits and risks they experience, and on their overall health outcomes. (HealthyPeople.gov, 2020)
The social-ecological model contextualizes factors that contribute to an individual’s health at the interpersonal, organizational/institutional, community, and policy levels.
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Morbidity and Mortality
Death higher among males and certain ethnic groups
Disparities result from differences in injury mortality
Injuries, intentional and unintentional, are the major cause of mortality and morbidity among adolescents.
Followed by suicide and homicide
Estimated that for every fatal injury, there are 41 adolescents hospitalized for a nonfatal injury
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Unintentional Injuries
Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death (62% of all unintentional injuries).
Of fatal crashes in 2017:
47% of teen drivers were not wearing a seat belt
31% male and 18% female drivers were speeding
24% of teen drivers were drinking alcohol
9% of teen drivers were engaged in distracted driving
Teen male drivers more likely to be involved in a fatal crashes than teen female drivers.
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14
Intentional Injuries and Violence
Since 1999, homicide has been the leading cause of death among Black/African-American adolescents
Since 2016, suicide has been the leading cause of death among Asian/Pacific Islanders
Males are much more likely to be victims of homicide and suicide; racial disparity exists
Adolescents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or gender nonconforming have a much greater risk of suicide than their heterosexual or gender-conforming counterparts.
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Violence
Bullying and missing school due to safety concerns
In 2017, among high school students:
15% were electronically bullied
19% were bullied at school
7% reported missing school because of safety concerns
Higher percentages of White students report being bullied
Higher percentages of Hispanic and Black/African-American students report missing school due to safety concerns
More females than males report instances of bullying or electronic bullying
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School Shooting Incidents
School shooting incidence was slightly cyclical between 1970 and 2020.
2018 and 2019 saw school shootings (116 and 112 incidents) nearly double the next highest year, 2006 (59 incidents)
Active shooter casualties from 2000 to 2017
153 in elementary and secondary schools
147 in post-secondary institutions
Between 1999 and 2018 fatal school shootings were more likely at locations which were:
Predominately White
Rural or suburban
Taught students of elementary-age
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School Discipline, Juvenile Justice Contact, and Police Arrests and Shootings
Black students, boys, and students with disabilities are disciplined in K–12 public schools at much higher rates relative to their presence in the population.
Black students are more likely to experience in- and out-of-school suspensions, referrals to law enforcement, expulsions, corporal punishment, and school-related arrests than other races.
Teens of color are more likely to be stopped by police, arrested, and incarcerated than White teens.
Over the lifespan, chances of being killed by police use of force increase 2.5x for Black men and 1.4x for Black women compared to their White counterparts.
Police-related deaths peak at age 20 for Black/African-American males and American Indian/Alaska Native males and females.
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Forced Sex and Physical and Sexual Dating Violence
Between 2007 and 2017, approximately 7% of high school students report having been forced to have sex.
Reports of physical and sexual dating violence victimization trended downward between 2013 and 2017.
Black/African-American students are more likely to report physical dating violence than White and Hispanic students.
White and Hispanic students are more likely to report sexual dating violence than Black/African-American students.
Females are more likely than males to report instances of physical and sexual dating violence.
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Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children/Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (1 of 2)
Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) encompasses all forms of sexual involvement of minors in underground economies, including sex trafficking, pornography, prostitution, stripping, and other sexual activities for profit.
Domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) involves “the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, coercion, or in which the person forced to perform such an act is young than age 18.” (Clawson, Dutch, Solomon, and Grace, 2009, p. 3)
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Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children/Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (2 of 2)
Disparities exist by race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and levels of physical and cognitive ableness.
Black LGBTQ+ adolescents are more affected by CESC/DMST than White cisgender, heterosexual adolescents.
Risk factors also include child abuse and maltreatment, poverty, caregiver strain, running away or being thrown away, poor mental health, early substance use, involvement in Child Protective Services or juvenile detention, difficulty in school, conflict with parents, and prior rape or sexual victimization.
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Violence Toward Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Students
In 2018, significantly more lesbian, gay, bisexual, and sexual identity questioning students than heterosexual students reported that they:
Were threatened or injured with a weapon at school
Did not go to school over safety concerns
Were bullied or electronically bullied
Were forced to have sex
Experienced physical or sexual dating violence
Students having sexual contact with only the same sex or with both sexes were more likely to report all these forms of violence than their heterosexual peers.
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Substance Use (1 of 2)
Tobacco
In 2019, 31% of high school students and 13% of middle school students reported smoking cigarettes in the past 30 days.
Rates of adolescents who have tried cigarette smoking or actively smoke at any level have declined over the past three decades.
Electronic vapor product use has increased the rate of overall tobacco use.
Alcohol
Similarly, rates of adolescents who drink alcohol have declined over the past three decades.
Racial disparities in use exist.
14% of high school students report instances of binge drinking in the previous 30 days.
Sexual minority youth are much more likely to report ever having consumed alcohol, drinking before age 13, and being active drinkers than heterosexual youth.
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Substance Use (2 of 2)
Cannabis
Despite trending toward increasing use over the last three decades, current rates of use have been in decline since 1999.
20% of high school students report having used cannabis within 30 days of being asked.
Prescription drug/opioid misuse
14% of high school students have reported misuse of prescription drugs.
Higher rates in sexual minority students
Stimulant use (Ritalin and Adderall) among college students has risen sharply.
Prevalence of use for cannabis and prescription drugs/opioids is similar among females and males, stimulant use is higher among males.
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Sexuality, Contraception, Fertility, and Sexually Transmitted Infections
Small decrease in sexual intercourse and improvements in safer sexual behavior
Sexual minority adolescents are more likely than heterosexual adolescents to have ever had sex, be sexually active, or had sex with four or more persons.
Condom use is more prevalent among heterosexual adolescents than sexual minority adolescents.
Overall, condom use is slightly down but holding steady from 2003 estimates.
Use of hormonal contraceptive methods has increased among adolescents since 2013.
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Teen Pregnancies and Teen Births
Improvements in contraception and reduction in rates of intercourse have led to a drop in teen pregnancies
118 pregnancies per 1,000 females ages 15–19 (1990)
43 pregnancies per 1,000 females ages 15–19 (2013)
Pregnancy rates for Black/African-American and Hispanic teens remain 2x the rates of their White counterparts.
Pregnancy rates are higher for older teens (18–19) than younger teens (15–17).
Birth rates for Black /African-American, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander teens are 2x those of non-Hispanic White teens.
Birth rates for Asian teens are low.
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Teen Abortions
Teen abortion rates have decreased by 56% between 2007 and 2016
2016 reported abortion statistics show:
| Age Range | % Of All Abortions | Abortion Rate |
| <15 | 0.3% | 0.4/1,000 adolescent females |
| 15–19 | 9.4% | 6.2/1,000 adolescent females |
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Sexually Transmitted Infections
Almost half of all sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are incurred by individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 years.
Biological factors make females more susceptible to STIs.
Contextual factors (access to care, prevention, treatment, incarceration, poverty, discrimination, etc.) result in Black/African-American adolescents being more likely to contract STIs than other adolescents.
Most common STIs:
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
HPV vaccination can prevent the spread of HPV and reduce the chance of HPV-related cancers.
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Young people ages 13–24 account for one in five of all new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses.
Gay and bisexual, as well as Black/African-American and Hispanic youth, are disproportionately affected.
Stigma related to sexual and racial minorities creates barriers to HIV prevention and care.
Racism and stigma limit partnering options for same-gender-loving Black and Hispanic men, leading to sexual relationships in higher-risk sexual networks.
Same-gender-loving Black/African-American and Hispanic men are
More likely to be exposed to a partner that has HIV that is not virally suppressed
Less likely to be protected if exposed to HIV
Less likely to know their HIV status
Less likely to receive care
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Mental Health and Suicide: Considered Suicide, and Suicide Attempts, Plans, and Injuries
Trends in adolescent mental health have been inconsistent
Considering suicide and making a suicide plan higher in 1991 than 2017
More suicide-related injuries reported in 2017 than 1991
Black/African-American adolescents report more suicide attempts and suicide-related injury than White adolescents.
Female adolescents fare worse than males on all suicide metrics.
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents are disproportionately likely to plan, attempt, and be injured in a suicide attempt.
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Anxiety and Depression
11% of 12- to 17-year-olds report having anxiety problems.
70% of 13- to 17- year-olds report that anxiety and depression are a “major problem” and for 26% they are a “minor problem.”
Hopelessness and sadness among high school students increased between 1991 and 2017.
Female, non-heterosexual, sexual-identity questioning students, and students with sexual contact with the same-sex or both sexes were more significantly more likely to report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
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Major Depressive Episode
In 2018, 14% of 12- to 17-year-olds reported having a major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year.
Females 3x more likely than males
More Whites, Hispanics, and American Indian/Alaskan Native teens (~15%) report depressive episodes than Asian teens (13.6%) and Black/African-American teens (10.3%).
Among teens reporting MDE, 10% reported severe impairment with the episode.
Females 3x more likely than males
Black/African-American teens less likely than other races
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Receipt of Mental Health Services
In 2018, 16% of 12- to 17-year-olds reported receiving mental health services in the past year.
Reasons for receiving services:
Felt depressed (57%)
Felt like or attempted committing suicide (32%)
Felt very afraid and tense (30%)
Home/family problems (24%) and school problems (19%)
Broke rules and “acted out” (17%)
Anger control issues (15%)
42% reported receiving treatment
Females more likely than male
White teens more likely than Hispanic and Black/African-American teens
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Obesity, Nutrition, and Physical Activity
Today, more than 40% of adolescents aged 16–19 are overweight or obese, up from 30% in 1999–2000
Being overweight/obese is linked to poor nutrition and low levels of physical activity which are often the result of historic and structural racism.
Almost half of high school students report being physically active for at least 60 minutes on 5 or more days in the last 7 days
Males more likely than females
White teens more likely than Black/African-American and Hispanic teens
Nutrition and physical activity are closely related to the social determinants of health at the family level and beyond.
| More Likely to be Overweight or Obese | Less likely to be Overweight or Obese |
| Black/African-American, Hispanic | Whites, Asian Americans |
| Sexual minority women | Heterosexual women |
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Chronic Conditions and Disabilities
Prevalence low among adolescents
Exceptions:
Asthma
23% of adolescents as of 2017
ADHD
7.6% of 10- to 17-year-olds between 1997 and 1999
13.0% of 10- to 17-year-olds between 2015 and 2017
Increase most likely due to increased testing
Males more likely than females
White and Black/African-American adolescents more likely than Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native, or Asian youth
Lower socioeconomic status linked to higher rates
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Puberty and Biological Development
Puberty is lengthy and multifaceted, changing virtually every aspect of the body.
Adrenarche: 6–9 years of age; contributes to the development of pubic hair, axillary hair, and body odor
Earlier in girls than boys
Gonadarche: 9–11 years of age; hypothalamus stimulates the production of sex steroids prompting the development of secondary sex characteristics
Biological changes: implicated in many issues related to adolescent development
Significant historical, environmental, and racial variations in the timing of puberty
Changes in the brain during adolescence are complex, with increase in cognitive activity and emotional maturation
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Cognitive Development and Decision Making
Why do adolescents appear to “choose” to engage in more risky behaviors?
Adolescents process information in irrational, incomplete, or fundamentally different ways; perceive risks differently; or are less risk averse.
Not found to be linked to underdeveloped cognitive skills
Sensation seeking and impulsivity peak in adolescence
Peaks earlier in girls than boys
Racial disparities exist
Correlated with:
Sexual risk-taking, substance use, and self-harm
Operationalization, self-reported data, measurement, and data collection methods make relationship between risk-taking, sensation seeking, and impulsivity unclear.
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The Neurological Basis of Changes in Adolescent Decision Making
Dual systems model of adolescent brain development
Two parts develop on different timetables
Socioemotional system develops early
Governs how we seek out and respond to reward and motivation
Cognitive control system develops more slowly over time
Regulates emotions, thoughts, and behaviors
Not fully mature until mid-20s
Now thought to be too overly simplistic
Modern integrated models
Adolescent brain works as a dynamic and interactive whole.
Changes in connectivity across different neural systems in the brain account for changes in behavior and decision-making.
Development responsive to experience and environmental inputs
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Social Development (1 of 3)
Key developmental tasks: identity development and agency in good decision-making
Parents and peers exert powerful influences on social development
Parents
Socioeconomic resources, time and emotional support
Parenting characteristics are linked to developmental outcomes
Parenting styles
Authoritative (high warmth, appropriate monitoring)
Most likely to facilitate better physical, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes
Authoritarian (low warmth, high monitoring)
Permissive (high warmth, low monitoring)
Disengaged (low warmth, low monitoring)
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Social Development (2 of 3)
Peers
As the developmental salience of individuation, identity, and autonomy increases, so the importance of peer acceptance and status.
Reflected appraisal: self-assessment based on the approval or disapproval of peers
Identity and values are influenced by affiliation with peers.
Adolescents are more motivated to behave in ways consistent with valued peer-groups.
Popularity
High status and likeability have large implications during adolescence and beyond.
Social media acts as a “super peer,” providing information on how to look and act
May be most influential among early-maturing adolescents
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Social Development (3 of 3)
Socialization
Selection vs. socialization
Adolescents seek out others who have similar behavior and attitudes to their own
Peers influence and change the behavior of others
Both?
Most likely multiple mechanisms, including:
Peer pressure
Observational learning
Social comparison
Perceived social norms
Peer influence
Historically linked to problematic behaviors (aggression or substance use)
Prosocial behavior by friends may promote prosocial behavior in others.
Close social relationships may buffer against adverse experiences, and support mental health and well-being.
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Environmental and Contextual Influences on Adolescent Health and Development: Schools
American high schools are the dominant social institution in adolescents’ lives.
Major site for public health interventions
Poor school adaptation has been associated with pregnancy, delinquency, substance use, etc.
School structure and environment have been associated with poorer adaptation and engagement.
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Neighborhood and Community
Neighborhoods and community directly influence health and development.
“What surrounds us, shapes us.”
Examples:
Higher rates of alcohol use in communities with wider alcohol availability and advertising
Lower body mass index in communities with richer physical activity resources
Indirect effects
Peer groups and families are influenced by social cohesion, social capital, institutional resources, neighborhood norms, residential instability, collective efficacy, social disorganization, neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage, and neighborhood disorder.
Example:
Neighborhood poverty may indirectly influence adolescent outcomes via parenting behaviors and family well-being
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Legal Systems
From 12 to 21, adolescents gradually gain legal rights and responsibilities.
Regulatory steps designed to reduce risky behavior.
Age of various legal rights/autonomy differ by states.
Confidential health care is a concern among adolescents with many issues:
Decision-making capacity has ramifications for criminal culpability.
Minority youth remain disproportionately represented across all areas of the criminal justice system due primarily to discriminatory practices.
Immigrant youth face additional challenges in the legal system.
| Driving | Financial decision-making |
| Alcohol and tobacco use | Medical and sexual consent |
| Civic participation |
| Parental notification | Consent for abortion/judicial bypass process |
| Sexual and reproductive health | Confidential contraception |
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The Media and Technology
Major influence on adolescent development
Increasing time spent on the internet, mobile phones, television, music and video games
Health impacts: academic performance, weight, increased risk behavior, including substance use and earlier sexual activity
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Improving Adolescent Health
Adolescence is a “sensitive period”
Social and environmental factors can optimize or impair development.
Multi-system improvements across education, neighborhoods, health care, and the juvenile justice system need to be made to improve outcomes.
Enhancing family resources
Strengthening schools and neighborhoods
Providing high-quality physical and mental healthcare
Establishing adolescent-friendly healthcare services
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Education
Existing heterogeneity in experience and skill level combine with disparities related to race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status lead to disparities in:
Educational achievement
Occupational success
Racial disparities persist in graduation rates
Changing schools to address adolescent needs includes:
Recognizing developmental needs
Increasing cultural competency
Providing skills to better match today’s world
Educational experiences should leverage modernization and the plasticity of adolescence to enhance creativity, critical thinking, and decision-making.
Paths to both college and vocational training should be provided.
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Neighborhoods
Living in a high poverty-concentration neighborhood has adverse consequences.
Rural/urban differences
Community assets: policies and practices that support families, facilitate positive interactions with youth, and endorse prosocial values
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Legal Systems
Juvenile justice systems should incorporate developmental considerations in providing treatment and services.
Progress on recognition of developmental needs varies among states
What should be considered?
Developmental maturity
A focus on individualized programs to prevent re-offense
Avoiding youth confinement except when necessary for safety reasons
Assurance of fair legal proceedings
Avoiding disparate treatment based on race or socioeconomic factors
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Maternal and Child Health Bureau
Federal agency that administers Title V of the Social Security Act, which funds most public health services for adolescents
Includes the Division of Child, Adolescent, and Family Health
Funds programs at schools of public health, programs to increase interdisciplinary training, and several organizations related to adolescent health
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Division of Adolescent and School Health
Within the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Supports a variety of initiatives to monitor adolescent health, synthesize and apply research, enable health interventions by various agencies, and to evaluate program effectiveness
YRBSS —One of the main tools of DASH
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Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs
Office of Adolescent Health
Established within HRSA in 2008 with the primary purpose of supporting evidence-based pregnancy prevention
In 2010, $75 million was allocated to replicate evidence-based programs, and $25 million to research the effectiveness of promising program methods.
Database of effective programs available
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Future Directions
Realizing the IOM’s “promise of adolescence” will take increasing effort to manage existing and existential issues in adolescent health and development
Injuries, violence, substance use
Vaping and e-cigarettes
New media and technologies
Longitudinal data needed
Need to better represent the increasingly diverse adolescent population in research
Public and political will and collaboration will be necessary to improve adolescent health.
Recognition that adolescent health is a distinct and important pursuit to ensure positive health and well-being outcomes
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