Adolescents Health
Many of the health problems of
adults arise from behavior begun in adolescence. Adolescents who smoke, drink or use other drugs are at greater risk of suffering from cardiovascular, respiratory, liver, disease and cancers, later in their lives. The use of alcohol and other drugs impairs judgment, heightens immediate risks of accidental and international injury including suicide and homicide, and increases in risk of needle sharing in the case of drug abuse which may lead to HIV infection and AIDS. Unprotected sexual activity in adolescence brings with it the dangers of too early or unwanted pregnancy, induced abortion often in hazardous conditions, sexually transmitted diseases, and again, HIV infection resulting in AIDS.
Accidents constitute on e of the major causes of death and disability among people throughout the world. It accounts for as many as half of all deaths of those ages 10 to 24, especially among male adolescents. Among
Adolescent girls under the age of 18, death and life-time injury arise more often from pregnancy-related causes.
Adolescents do not often understand their own health
needs, the consequences of risky behavior, how to protect themselves against such behavior, information about existing health
services and how to use them.
On the other hand, health workers are rarely in understanding adolescent sexuality and interpersonal communication with the young. Most health services are designed either for adults or children, and often do not meet the needs of young people. Policy and legislation often do not provide an adequate basis to meet the needs of young people for information, education, guidance, counseling and clinical services.
The
key to successful adolescent health promotion is partnership. Partnership between young people and adults, between the health sector and other key sectors, between government and nongovernmental organizations and within the United Nation’s system itself. According to WHO, the most effective way to achieve consensus is to enlist key opinion makers in different cultures, and at the same time, involve the young themselves.
More summaries about the Adolescents Health