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Objectives. This study assessed youth health in the Caribbean Community and Common Market countries and describes the prevalence of health-related factors. Methods. We used a self-administered classroom questionnaire; questions addressed general health, health care, nutrition, sexual history, drug use, mental health, violence, family characteristics, and relationships with others. Results. Most youths reported good health; however, 1 in 10 reported a limiting disability or significant health problems. Violence was a pervasive concern. Of those who reported history of sexual intercourse, many reported that their first intercourse was forced, and nearly half reported that they were aged 10 years or younger when they first had intercourse. Conclusions. Although most young people are healthy, problems indicate the importance of monitoring trends and designing effective youth health programs. (Am J Public Health. 2003;93:1851-1857) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the utility of a health and human lights framework for conceptualizing and responding to the causes and consequences of substance use among young people. It provides operational definitions of "youth" and "substances," a review of current international and national efforts to address substance use among youths, and an introduction to human rights and the intersection between health and human rights. A methodology for modeling vulnerability in relation to harmful substance use is introduced and contemporary international and national responses are discussed. When governments uphold their obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights, vulnerability to harmful substance use and its consequences can be reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We developed a simulation model to predict the effects of policies aimed at reducing smoking initiation by youths younger than 18 years. Methods. The model projected the number of smokers, never smokers, and ex-smokers by age, sex, and racial/ethnic group and the effects of reductions in youth initiation. Results. The model predicted that even if tobacco policies eliminated youth initiation, the number of smokers would not be halved for more than 30 years. If initiation were halved and some of the initiation were delayed rather than eliminated, substantially smaller reductions would result. Conclusions. Policies that increase cessation rates are needed to reduce the number of current smokers and the more near-term health problems. (Am J Public Health. 2000;90:1311-1314) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the relationships between exposure to a smoking awareness curriculum, attitudes toward and knowledge about smoking, sociodemographic anti smoking exposure characteristics, and change in smoking starts over three years. During this period, 4.5 per cent of the students decreased their involvement with cigarettes, 56.6 per cent reported no change, and 38.9 per cent reported an increase. Exposure to the curriculum did not bear a significant relationship to change in smoking; however, changes in peer smoking, knowledge, and parental smoking were significant predictors. (Am J Public Health 1981; 71: 1401-1404.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Family Life Theatre, integrated into the Youth Health Services of a medical institution in a large urban community, has achieved rather unusual success. After seven years of experience marked by a constant quest for improvements, what was started in 1973 as a very modest health education program, through the medium of improvisational theatre, has now become a pilot project, duplicated by many groups and institutions throughout the country. The experiences of the Family Life Theatre, and its multiple ramifications leading to a comprehensive approach to the adolescent health problems, are presented and analyzed in a public health perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three referral patterns in a comprehensive health care delivery program are described and analyzed. Findings are discussed and interpreted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This section provides information on models for partnerships between public health and community organizations to increase health services to populations at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Persons at risk for STD face barriers in gaining access to health services, including limited understanding of the structure of the services, lack of insurance and distrust of providers. The Denver Gonorrhea Community Action Project (GCAP), administered by the Denver Department of Public Health, has formed a partnership with a community organization serving homeless youths that provides limited health services supervised by volunteer physicians. Other partners included a state-funded juvenile detention facility and a county jail, both with in-house nurse practitioners. Meanwhile, the Saint Louis GCAP, administered by the Division of Infectious Diseases of the Washington University School of Medicine, implemented regular screenings at 20 community organizations. In many cases, GCAP staff formed partnerships with local AIDS organizations and the Saint Louis Department of Health to offer ligase chain reaction screening and STD education in addition to HIV screening and educational efforts already ongoing in these sites. Finally, a third model is one in which staff at community organizations and establishments had no clinical skills but were interested in conducting screening and becoming a resource for STD prevention. In Denver, staff at an after-hours club, a place for youth to hang out in a safe environment, were interested in offering regular screenings.

The article reflects on the various efforts toward prevention of smoking among adolescents. It discusses the papers published within the issue which focus on smoking among teenagers while emphasizing the positive result brought by smoking cessation programs and health risk assessment in improving the health of the youth.