New initiatives in adolescent health promotion

Article Abstract:

Adolescent health problems and needs have changed radically over the past decades. While natural causes of illness and death were the bases of health care concerns at one time, now unnatural causes predominate adolescent medicine. Most of these health problems are related to behavior and involve early sexual relations, sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, substance abuse of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, and premature violent death. Unfortunately, these problems do not respond to traditional interventions; they require unusual efforts to achieve resolution. Two publications of the United States Public Health Service, "Healthy People 2000: The National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives" (Health 2000), and the "Guide to Clinical Preventive Services" (Guide), address these problems and approaches toward resolving them. Health 2000 defines an initiative with three goals: (1) increase the span of healthy life for Americans; (2) reduce health disparities among Americans; and (3) achieve access to preventive services for all Americans. Twenty-two areas, encompassing almost 300 national health objectives are defined; 45 objectives address adolescents directly, and 51 affect this group as part of the broader population. The Guide describes 169 specific ways of responding to 60 targeted conditions which impact on the 8- to 24-year-old population. These publications discuss methods for providing adolescent care, including prevention and intervention; they encourage providers to develop new, and innovative strategies; and suggest structures for focussing human and financial resources. Neither publication, nor the position each expounds, is universally accepted. Some objections are directed to the fact that the frequency and appropriateness of adolescent and childrens' services are to be ascertained by health care providers, while specific provisions are recommended for other problems. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Laws, regulations and rules, editorial

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Are adolescents getting smarter about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome? Changes in knowledge and attitude over the past 5 years

Article Abstract:

Because many adolescents tend to experiment with high-risk behaviors, such as unprotected sexual intercourse and intravenous drug use, they are at high risk for contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is believed to be the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Twenty-one percent of all AIDS cases have been diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 20 and 29 years; in many of these cases, HIV infection occurred during adolescence. In an effort to assess adolescents' knowledge about and prevailing attitudes towards AIDS, 1,543 high school students were surveyed. Most of the teenagers were quite knowledgeable about AIDS and had accurate information on the nature of the disease and how it is transmitted. Ninety-eight percent of the teenagers knew that AIDS cannot be transmitted by casual contact; 97 percent were aware that AIDS can be spread by intravenous drug use; and 98 percent knew the disease can be contracted through sexual contact. However, several areas of confusion and some negative attitudes were identified. Despite their general awareness that AIDS cannot be spread by casual contact, about 20 percent of these adolescents would not allow a school to admit an HIV-infected child. Thirty-seven percent believed that HIV infection can result from donating blood. Forty-five percent of the respondents thought that homosexuals and intravenous drug users who contracted AIDS were getting what they deserved. In general, the results indicate that educational programs have been successful; additional efforts should focus on changing behaviors and attitudes regarding AIDS and individuals with AIDS. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Prevention, Surveys, HIV (Viruses), HIV, AIDS (Disease)

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Prevention and adolescent health: commentary on progress of the past 2 years

Article Abstract:

Continued support of innovative programs in adolescent health is needed to ensure their success. 'Healthy People 2000: The National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives' and the 'Guide to Clinical Preventive Services' are two documents that have played a major role in drawing attention to the special health concerns of adolescents. An initiative called Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services contains 24 recommendations on the provision of health care, screening for physical and psychological problems and vaccinations. Public health officials increasingly look to school-based health centers to meet the health needs of underserved adolescents. More than 330 of these clinics have already been established. To monitor progress in adolescent health objectives, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health has established a surveillance system for tracking risk behavior among teenagers.

Planning, Children, Preventive medicine, Preventive health services for children

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