[Health and Development]
Teens and Young Adults

Teen health care covers a myriad of physical, mental and developmental issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note six critical health behaviors for teens: nutrition, alcohol and drug use, tobacco use, injury and violence (including suicide), sexual risk behaviors and physical activity. (Photo: Los Angeles Times)

Teens and Young Adults

Latest in teens and young adults

Best Practices: "Follow My Steps"

Reporting: Best Practices — April 05, 2013, Mina Dixon

Andrew Hida's quietly compelling "Follow My Steps" was recently honored by the National Press Photographers Association.

Implicit Theories of Personality and Attributions of Hostile Intent

Research, Reports & Data — February 13, 2013, Child Development

Teenagers who view character as fixed rather than changing are more likely to react aggressively in peer conflicts.

Psychotropic Medication Use Among Children in the Child Welfare System

Research, Reports & Data — February 12, 2013, Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire

Children in the child welfare system are given psychotropic medication, drugs prescribed to affect the mind, emotions and behavior, at rates approximately three times higher than children and adolescents in the general population. Rates of psychotropic medication use are also significantly higher in rural than urban areas.

The State of Mental Health Among U.S. Adolescents

Research, Reports & Data — January 30, 2013, Child Trends

One in 5 adolescents have a diagnosable mental disorder. The brief addresses different mental disorders that present in adolescence, including attention deficit disorders and major depression.

Youth and Work: Restoring Teen and Young Adult Connections to Opportunity

Research, Reports & Data — December 03, 2012, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Nearly 6.5 million U.S. teens and young adults are neither in school nor in the workforce. The latest KIDS COUNT policy report provides new national and state data on this population and examines the best policies to provide multiple pathways to opportunity for disconnected young people.

The Unfair Criminalization of Gay and Transgender Youth

Research, Reports & Data — August 20, 2012, Center for American Progress

LGBT youth are overrepresented in the nation’s juvenile justice system. The issue brief addresses some of the reasons for these high rates of involvement, and suggests steps that federal government and state and local juvenile courts can take to reduce the discrimination LGBT youth face once within the system.

Girl Talk: What High School Senior Girls Have to Say About Sex, Love and Relationships

Research, Reports & Data — July 30, 2012, The National Campaign to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy

A study on 12th grade girls' feelings and attitudes toward sex, love and relationships.

Growing Up LGBT in America

Research, Reports & Data — June 20, 2012, Human Rights Campaign

The report surveyed over 10,000 LGBT youth in America.

Young, Underemployed and Optimistic

Research, Reports & Data — February 13, 2012, Pew Research Center

The report finds that young adults remain optimistic about their futures despite the fact that the poor economy is affecting their daily lives and altering their long-term plans.

Media Multitasking and Social Well-Being Among 8- to 12-year-old Girls

Research, Reports & Data — January 30, 2012, Developmental Psychology

Texting, tweeting, and watching TV at the same time may be harmful to young girls, says a group of Stanford University Researchers.

Opportunity Road: the promise and challenge of America’s forgotten youth

Research, Reports & Data — January 12, 2012, America's Promise Alliance

The report examines youth who are detached from school and work and highlights programs that successfully reconnect them to society.

Criminal Justice and School Sanctions Against Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Youth

Research, Reports & Data — December 07, 2010, Pediatrics

The study finds that gay, lesbian and bisexual teenagers are more likely to be punished by schools and courts than their straight peers.

Cyber Bullying and Depression

Research, Reports & Data — September 23, 2010, Journal of Adolescent Health

Victims of cyber bullying are more likely to report higher depression than victims of traditional bullying, and are more likely to report feelings of isolation and helplessness.

Tobacco Use Among Middle and High School Students

Research, Reports & Data — August 27, 2010, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

From 2000 to 2009, cigarette use and experimentation declined for middle school and high school students. However, the overall decline in tobacco use stalled from 2006 to 2009, suggesting that the current rate of smoking decline is relatively slow.

Challenge! Health Promotion/Obesity Prevention

Research, Reports & Data — July 30, 2010, Pediatrics

The study evaluates a community-based obesity prevention program with an eye toward determining if home and community activities can reduce the prevalence of pediatric obesity among urban, black adolescents.