Abstract
Objectives. This article reviews the health status of adolescents in the United States 1979 through 1994. Methods. An extensive array of data from federal agencies, private organizations, and published literature was reviewed, analyzed, and cross-validated. Results. Significant shifts in mortality and morbidity among America's youth have occurred over the past decade. Adolescents have recorded significant reductions in motor vehicle deaths: alcohol, cigarette, and illicit substance use; and gonorrhea and syphilis. Overall, mortality in the second decade of life has declined by 13%. However, reductions in unintentional injuries have been largely offset by increases in teenage homicide, while worsening poverty as well as risk taking behaviors continue to influence the morbidities of teenagers adversely. Violence, suicide, and teenage pregnancy continue to be overwhelming problems for young people. Conclusions. After years of downward spiral in the health of America's youth, there have been significant improvements in morbidity and mortality. These findings refute the myth that frothing can be done.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 513-519 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | American Journal of Public Health |
| Volume | 86 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| State | Published - 1996 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Cite this
Morbidity and mortality among US adolescents : An overview of data and trends. / Sells, C (Wayne); Blum, Robert Wm.
In: American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 86, No. 4, 1996, p. 513-519.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Morbidity and mortality among US adolescents
T2 - An overview of data and trends
AU - Sells, C (Wayne)
AU - Blum, Robert Wm
PY - 1996
Y1 - 1996
N2 - Objectives. This article reviews the health status of adolescents in the United States 1979 through 1994. Methods. An extensive array of data from federal agencies, private organizations, and published literature was reviewed, analyzed, and cross-validated. Results. Significant shifts in mortality and morbidity among America's youth have occurred over the past decade. Adolescents have recorded significant reductions in motor vehicle deaths: alcohol, cigarette, and illicit substance use; and gonorrhea and syphilis. Overall, mortality in the second decade of life has declined by 13%. However, reductions in unintentional injuries have been largely offset by increases in teenage homicide, while worsening poverty as well as risk taking behaviors continue to influence the morbidities of teenagers adversely. Violence, suicide, and teenage pregnancy continue to be overwhelming problems for young people. Conclusions. After years of downward spiral in the health of America's youth, there have been significant improvements in morbidity and mortality. These findings refute the myth that frothing can be done.
AB - Objectives. This article reviews the health status of adolescents in the United States 1979 through 1994. Methods. An extensive array of data from federal agencies, private organizations, and published literature was reviewed, analyzed, and cross-validated. Results. Significant shifts in mortality and morbidity among America's youth have occurred over the past decade. Adolescents have recorded significant reductions in motor vehicle deaths: alcohol, cigarette, and illicit substance use; and gonorrhea and syphilis. Overall, mortality in the second decade of life has declined by 13%. However, reductions in unintentional injuries have been largely offset by increases in teenage homicide, while worsening poverty as well as risk taking behaviors continue to influence the morbidities of teenagers adversely. Violence, suicide, and teenage pregnancy continue to be overwhelming problems for young people. Conclusions. After years of downward spiral in the health of America's youth, there have been significant improvements in morbidity and mortality. These findings refute the myth that frothing can be done.
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M3 - Article
VL - 86
SP - 513
EP - 519
JO - American Journal of Public Health
JF - American Journal of Public Health
SN - 0090-0036
IS - 4
ER -