Injuries in adolescent workers. Health promotion and primary prevention.

1. Adolescent workers experience significant morbidity and mortality. Specific characteristics and lifestyle issues of adolescents increase their susceptibility to injury and illness. 2. Occupational and environmental health nurses need to advocate for improved legislation to protect children and adolescents and to develop better data collection and surveillance. 3. Occupational and environmental health nurses must bring awareness of the specific concerns for adolescent workers and developmentally appropriate injury prevention strategies to the community, industry, and labor groups. 4. Nurses in the workplace can become involved in STW programs and CLWT projects and provide impetus for promoting a comprehensive approach that recognizes the unique characteristics of adolescents, their health promotion needs, and their need to recognize and avoid hazards.