Irwin Charles E, Burg Scott J, Uhler Cart Courtney
National Adolescent Health Information Center, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and the Institute for Health Policy Studies, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA.
J Adolesc Health. 2002 Dec;31(6 Suppl):91-121. doi: 10.1016/s1054-139x(02)00489-5.
To determine historical trends and current status of the health of America's youth.
A thorough literature review was conducted to establish the best sources for adolescent data across a wide range of health-related issues using major national data sources. Data were collected and synthesized to create a comprehensive overview of adolescent health and demographic trends.
Adolescence is a distinct developmental stage posing unique challenges. Although generally considered a time of health and well-being, traditional health indicators often overlook areas specific to adolescence. Despite encouraging improvements in recent years, this population continues to have high rates of morbidity and mortality owing to violence, injury, and mental health disorders. Also, potentially health-damaging behaviors, such as premature and unprotected sexual behavior and substance use, pose significant threats. Fortunately, adolescence is a time of great behavioral plasticity. Because the vast majority of adolescent health risks are the result of behavioral causes, much of this morbidity and mortality is preventable. The adolescent population is projected to greatly increase over the next 2 decades. However, older age groups are increasing more rapidly, reducing the proportion of adolescents in the overall population. The aging population will likely demand increased access to scarce resources. The public needs to be educated about the need to support programs for youth. If resources are properly allocated, and health professionals trained to deal with adolescents' unique needs, America's youth have the potential to benefit greatly from successful implementation of new knowledge, developing healthy, positive, life-long behaviors.
确定美国青少年健康状况的历史趋势和当前现状。
进行了全面的文献综述，以利用主要的国家数据来源，确定涵盖广泛健康相关问题的青少年数据的最佳来源。收集并综合数据，以全面概述青少年健康和人口趋势。
青春期是一个独特的发育阶段，带来独特的挑战。尽管通常被认为是健康幸福的时期，但传统健康指标往往忽视青春期特有的领域。尽管近年来有令人鼓舞的改善，但由于暴力、伤害和心理健康障碍，这一人群的发病率和死亡率仍然很高。此外，过早和无保护的性行为以及物质使用等可能损害健康的行为构成重大威胁。幸运的是，青春期是行为可塑性很强的时期。由于绝大多数青少年健康风险是行为原因导致的，因此这种发病率和死亡率大多是可以预防的。预计未来20年青少年人口将大幅增加。然而，老年群体增长更快，青少年在总人口中的比例下降。老龄化人口可能会要求增加对稀缺资源的获取。需要对公众进行教育，使其认识到支持青少年项目的必要性。如果资源得到合理分配，并且卫生专业人员接受培训以满足青少年的独特需求，美国青少年就有可能从成功实施新知识、培养健康、积极的终身行为中受益匪浅。
