Citation

Aratani Y, Schwarz SW, Skinner C. Adolesc. Med. State Art Rev. 2011; 22(3): 367-86, ix.

Affiliation

National Center for Children in Poverty, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. aratani@nccp.org

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, American Academy of Pediatrics)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

22423456

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical period in the human lifecycle, a time of rapid physical and socioemotional growth and a time when individuals establish lifestyle habits and health behaviors that often endure into and have lasting effects in adulthood. Adolescent health promotion programs play a critical role in helping youth establish healthy lifestyles. In this article, we present a socio-ecological model as a framework for identifying effective policy and program areas that have a positive impact on adolescent health behaviors. Our discussion focuses on 4 key areas: reproductive health; obesity prevention; mental health and substance use, including smoking; and injury and violence prevention. We proceed with an overview of the current status of state-led adolescent health promotion policies and programs from a newly created policy database and then examine the evidence on the cost of preventable adolescent health problems and the cost-effectiveness of health promotion programs and policies. We conclude by discussing the threat posed to adolescent health promotion services and state-led policy initiatives by proposed and implemented federal and state-level budget cuts and examine the possible health and economic repercussions of reducing or eliminating these programs.

Language: en