1. Adolescents, Young Adults, and Adults
Chapter 8
Adolescents, Young Adults, and Adults

2. Chapter Objectives (1 of 2)
After studying this chapter, you will be able to:
Explain why it is important for community health workers to be aware of the different health concerns of the various age groups in the United States.
Define by age the groups of adolescents, young adults, and adults.
Briefly describe key demographic characteristics of adolescents and young adults.
Explain what the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) are and what type of data they generate.

3. Chapter Objectives (2 of 2)
Provide a brief behavioral risk profile for adolescents, young adults (including college students), and adults.
Outline the health profiles for the various age groups—adolescents, young adults, and adults—listing the major causes of mortality, morbidity, and risk factors for each group.
Give examples of community health strategies for improving the health status of adolescents, young adults, and adults.

4. Introduction Adolescents and young adults (10-24) Adults (25-64)
Adolescence generally regarded as puberty to maturity
Adults (25-64)
Years between 10 and 64 some of the most productive years of people’s lives
Most enjoy the best health of their lives
Shape health through lifestyle and health behavior for later years

5. Adolescents and Young Adults
Represent the future of the nation
Adolescence is difficult stage; period of transition from childhood to adulthood
Comfort and security to complex and challenging situations
Young adults complete physical growth; experience significant life changes
Many health beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors are adopted and challenged

6. Demography (1 of 2) Number of adolescents and young adults
In 2010, over 1/5 of U.S. population
In 2012, ~54% of adolescents were non-Hispanic white
Living arrangements
In 2012, >1/4 lived in single-parent families
Variations by race and ethnicity

7. Demography (2 of 2) Employment status and health care access
Participation in labor force has remained fairly constant in recent decades
Disparities by race and ethnicity
Employment status has impact on access to health insurance, health care

8. Mortality (1 of 2)
Significant decline in death rates over past several decades; mostly due to advances in medicine and to injury and disease prevention
Male mortality rate higher than female
Most threats stem from behavior rather than disease
Unintentional injuries (41%), homicide (17%), suicide (15%)
Significant racial disparities among race and leading causes of death

9. Death rates for leading causes of death for ages 15 to 24, 1950–2013.
Mortality (2 of 2)
National Center for Health Statistics. (2015). Health, United States, 2014: With Special Feature on Adults Age Hyattsville, MD: Author.
Death rates for leading causes of death for ages 15 to 24, 1950–2013.

10. Morbidity (1 of 2) Communicable diseases
Measles immunizations important
Sexually transmitted diseases
This age group acquires nearly half of all new STDs in the U.S.
Some effects can last a lifetime

11. Morbidity (2 of 2)
Data from: Centers for Disease Control. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: Annual Summaries, various years; “Summary of Notifiable Diseases—United States, 2000.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 49(53): 23; and “Summary of Notifiable Diseases—United States, 2008.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 57(54): "Summary of Notifiable Diseases - United States, 2010." Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 59(53):

12. Health Behaviors of High School Students
Unintentional injuries
Violence
Tobacco use
Alcohol and other drugs
Sexual behaviors – unintended pregnancies and STDs
Physical activity and sedentary behaviors
Overweight and weight control

13. Health Behaviors of College Students
Unintentional injuries
Violence
Tobacco use
Alcohol and other drugs
Sexual behaviors – unintended pregnancies and STDs

14. Protective Factors
Protective factors – individual or environmental characteristics, conditions, or behaviors that reduce the effects of stressful life events, increase the ability to avoid risks or hazards, and promote social and emotional competence
Examples: school connectedness, community service

15. Community Health Strategies
Main factors affecting community health in age groups are social and cultural factors and community organizing
Alcohol use a main problem

16. Adults
Ages 25-64
Represent more than half of U.S. population

17. Health Profile (1 of 3) Mortality Mainly from chronic diseases
Many associated with unhealthy behaviors and poor lifestyle choices
Lifestyle improvements and public health advances have led to decline in death rate for adults

18. Health Profile (2 of 3)
Data from: Heron, M. (2016). “Deaths: Leading Causes for 2013.” National Vital Statistics Reports, 65(42). Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics.

19. Health Profile (3 of 3)
Data from: Heron, M. (2016). “Deaths: Leading Causes for 2013.” National Vital Statistics Reports, 65(42). Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics.

20. Cancer #1 cause of death for adults ages 45-54 and 55-64
Males – prostate, lung, and colorectal
Females – breast, lung, and colorectal

21. Cardiovascular Diseases
Age-adjusted mortality rates dropped over past 60 years
Mainly due to public health efforts related to smoking cessation, increased physical activity, and nutrition

22. Health Behaviors Risk factors for chronic disease
Most significant for adults – smoking, lack of exercise, BMI, alcohol
Awareness and screening of certain conditions
Hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol

23. Community Health Strategies
Role of individual behavior, social factors, environmental factors, and previous influences on their health across lifespan
Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention efforts for adults
Primary – exercise and nutrition programs
Secondary – self and clinical screenings to identify and control disease processes
Tertiary – medication compliance

24. Discussion Questions
Why are lifestyle and health behaviors significant for the adult age group compared to other age groups?
How can community health efforts affect leading causes of death for the adolescent and young adult age group?