Adolescent Health Issues: State Actions 1997.

Many adolescents need basic health care and other services that address risky behaviors such as sexual activity, violence, alcohol and drug abuse, and the consequences of these behaviors. This publication summarizes laws and resolutions on adolescent health issues passed in 1997 state and territory legislative sessions. No 1997 legislative session was held in Kentucky; therefore, adolescent health legislation from this state is not included. Nor was any legislation related to adolescent health passed in 1997 in American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, New Mexico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Wyoming. Brief descriptions of laws are provided pertaining to the following topics: (1) abortions; (2) abstinence, sexuality education, and pregnancy prevention; (3) adolescent general health; (4) community health, including immunizations; (5) HIV/AIDS; (6) insurance; (7) Medicaid; (8) mental health; (9) pregnancy, parenting, contraception, and family planning; (10) school health and school-based health services; (11) sexual conduct; (12) sexually transmitted diseases; (13) substance abuse, including date rape drugs, drinking and driving, penalties, and prevention; (14) tattooing and body piercing; (15) tobacco; and (16) violence prevention. The summary indicates that during the 1997 legislative session teen pregnancy, school health programs, substance abuse, and tobacco were the top adolescent health issues addressed by state legislatures. The summary's appendices include a state-by-state summary of 1992-1996 health legislation, resource directory, and a list of state adolescent health coordinators/directors. (KB)