[Adolescent health in numbers]

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2008 Jan-Feb;46(1):91-100.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Adolescent health is not a priority to public health services. The physical, psychological and social changes lived by youngsters expose these individuals to several health risks and events that are determinant to their actual and future health status. The main health problems in adolescents are infectious respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases but traumatisms are very important in males. Female adolescents demand services related to their reproductive life and link to early and not desired pregnancies. Another important health problem is overweight and obesity in both sexes. The main causes of death in this age group are malignant tumors, specially leukemias, and accidents. We do not have information related to health risks like addictions and mental health. Data show how important adolescents health should be to the public health sector specially because it will be more easy to tackle their health risks and negative health life-styles at this age than further in their lives.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior
  • Adolescent Development / physiology*
  • Adolescent Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Alcohol Drinking
  • Emergencies / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Health Services Needs and Demand / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mortality
  • Obesity / prevention & control
  • Sex Factors
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Smoking