Child & Adolescent Health

Why focus on youth? What are the top three causes of death currently in the U.S.? –Heart disease –Stroke –Cancer –What do these have in common?

Is this different for youth? What are the top four causes of death among youth in the U.S.? –Motor vehicle accidents –Unintentional injuries –Homicide –Suicide

CDC: Six classifications Risk behavior: –Unhealthy dietary behaviors –Physical inactivity –Unhealthy sexual behaviors –Tobacco use –Alcohol and other drug use –Behaviors resulting in unintentional injury/violence

America’s Youth

Why focus on children & adolescents? Unique population – especially th is generation. The first to … –Understand terrorism as a domestic issue –Compete fully in a global economy –Experience instantaneous communication with the world –Grow up with the majority living a portion of childhood in a single parent household –Live their entire lives in the shadow of AIDS –?????

Youth defined according to WHO Children: –010 –Young People: » –Adolescence: » –Youth: » Note: Adolescence = a period of time in the lifespan; Adolescents = the youth experiencing adolescence.

National Statistics “America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2011” Report: »In 2010, 74.2 million children 0-17 y/o »Children/adolescents equal 24% of population.

Racial and Ethnic Diversity In 2010, –53.5% White, Non-Hispanic –23.1% Hispanic –14.0% African-American –4.3% Asian –5.2% Other

Family and Social Environment In 2010, –66% of children lived with two married parents –23% of children lived with single mother –3% lived with single father –4% lived with neither parent

Family/Social Environment continued Child care In 2010, –20% of children had at least one foreign-born parent In 2009, –21% spoke a language other than English at home

More family/social environment Adolescent births –In 2009, adolescent birth rate: 20.1/1,000 (15-17 y/o) –The good news & bad news Child Maltreatment –In 2009, 10 / 1,000 children 0-17 y/o were maltreated (substantiated reports)

Economic Circumstances In 2009, –21% of children (0-17 y/o) lived in poverty –72% of children had at least one parent who worked full time, year round –23% of children lived in food insecure households

Health Care In 2009, –90% of children (0-17 y/o) had health insurance coverage at some time during the year –84% of children (5-17 y/o) visited the dentist

Physical Environment & Safety Outdoor air quality –In 2009, 59% of children lived in counties with detectable air pollutants Drinking water –About 7% of children continue to live without clean drinking water Environmental tobacco –About 17% of children still live in homes with ETS. Housing –Inadequate housing –Overcrowding –Homeless

Behavior Tobacco use continues to decline … but … Alcohol use continues to decline … but … Illicit Drug use

Behavior continued

Education Reading Math In 2009, –90% of y/o completed high school or GED –70% of those immediately enrolled in 2 or 4 year college

Health The infant mortality rate –Continued to decline In 2007 – 2008, –19% of 6-17 y/o were obese –The bad news Physical limitation Diet quality Asthma Adolescent depression

Special Feature: Adoption

Adoption continued

Adoption …