On April 25th The Lancet published its second series devoted exclusively to adolescent health. The series of articles make the case for a more holistic approach to adolescent medicine. Four papers explore the role of adolescence as a foundation for future health, the social determinants of adolescent health, the potential of the worldwide application of prevention science, and the current availability…
This study examines the potential role of the health care system in the successful transition to young adulthood for all adolescents, with emphasis on adolescents with special health care needs (ASHCN). Research and conceptual frameworks addressing successful transitions and functioning were reviewed. Although most national efforts to define skills needed for the transition have focused on career/vocational skills, a few frameworks integrate broader issues such as health, psychosocial…
Adolescents and young adults are avid Internet users. Online social media, such as social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, MySpace), blogs, status updating sites (e.g., Twitter) and chat rooms, have become integral parts of adolescents’ and young adults’ lives. Adolescents are even beginning to enter the world of online dating with several websites dedicated to “teenage online dating.” This paper reviews…
This 2009 article reviews health trends for adolescents and young adults, providing a single source for a national health profile. Data are presented on demographics, mortality, health-related behaviors, and healthcare access and utilization and major gender and racial/ethnic disparities are highlighted. The authors outline recommendations to improve health during these critical periods in the lifespan. Access the article: Paul Mulye,…
This article examines rates and disparities in access to preventive care and receipt of recommended preventive services among adolescents. Research reveals very low rates of preventive visits, especially for the poor and uninsured, and low rates of receipt of recommended preventive services. Please view the abstract here: PEDIATRICS, Charles E. Irwin, Jr, Sally H. Adams, M. Jane Park, and Paul…
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug by adolescents and young adults, with more males than females reporting marijuana use. The adolescent and young adult years represent a critical period for interventions to prevent marijuana use and abuse. This article reviews relevant literature, including trends in young males’ marijuana use and health effects of marijuana use. The article is…
This article examines research related to stress and stress management, with a focus on young males. It offers recommendations for improving health care quality and strengthening the research base on stress and gender during youth. The article is available here: Vo, D. X., & Park, M. J. (2008). Stress and Stress Management Among Youth and Young Men. American Journal of…
This article discusses gaps in research and offers recommendations for improving health care quality and strengthening the research base on gender and disparities during adolescence. The article is available here: Vo, D. X., & Park, M. J. (2008). Racial/Ethnic Disparities and Culturally Competent Health Care Among Youth and Young Men. American Journal of Men’s Health, 2, 192-205
This paper builds on the initial paper, Conceptualizing a Monitoring System for Indicators in Middle Childhood, that conceptualizes elements of well-being relevant for the middle childhood period, identifies potential constructs and develops criteria for indicators. Here, the authors follow up by identifying a set of 20 indicator constructs, half positive and half negative. Of these 20, half measure child well-being…
In this paper, the authors take a distinctively developmental approach and draw on existing conceptual models and research for adolescence and middle childhood to identify domains and constructs that describe the health and well-being of the middle childhood population. This paper (1) reviews and synthesizes relevant existing conceptual frameworks (generally developed for adolescents in the U.S.) that could be adapted…
University of California San Francisco
