Critical Adolescent Health Issues

HOME

Although adolescence is a time of great growth, new adventures and opportunities to build youth's strength, there also are a number of risks and health issues that adolescents face. The National Initiative to Improve Adolescent Health by 2010 (NIIAH) determined 21 Critical Health Objectives from the Healthy People 2010. These 21 objectives fit into six broad content areas:

Sexual Health

Injury

Violence

Chronic Disease

Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Mortality

What is the National Initiative to Improve Adolecscent Health?

The National Initiative to Improve Adolescent Health by 2010 (NIIAH) is a collective effort to improve the health, safety, and well being of adolescent and young adults (ages 10-24). Facilitated by two federal agencies, NIIAH partners collaborate to elevate the focus on and committment to adolescents, increase access to quality health care, improve health and safety outcomes and eliminate their health disparitites. The Amrican Academy of Pediatrics is an active partner in the NIIAH.

To learn more about NIIAH, further information is provided on the CDC Website. The information includes:
· an overview,
· list of partner organizations,
· a list of the 21 critical health objectives for adolescents,

Improving the Health of Adolescents & Young Adults: A Guide for States and Communities is a practical guidebook that helps states and agencies develop adolescent health programs. The guidebook developed through the NIIAH comes in a print version or on CD-Rom and copies can be obtained through the CDC Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/NationalInitiative/order/index.htm.