In the past, May was deemed, “Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month”, but this year it was officially changed to, “Adolescent Health Month.” While preventing unwanted pregnancies in youth through access to health care and education is one part of adolescent care, the new title recognizes that the health of teenagers is about much more than just reproductive health care. We serve them best when we recognize them as whole people with broad health needs.
Some of the more controversial topics in adolescent health tend to get all the attention, but teenagers still need the basic pillars of health to feel their best and to set them up for lifelong good health: quality sleep and enough of it, nutrient dense whole foods, regular movement they enjoy, and stress reduction and relaxation. As youth move through the adolescent years and become more invested in their own good health, we can increasingly turn over independence in these areas and encourage them to notice how different choices make them feel.
Adolescence is marked by increasing independence and we strive to both support their growing autonomy in decision making while also trying to help them avoid rash decisions that have lifelong consequences. Unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and substance use are areas where one impulsive decision can result in life-long impacts.
While the overall numbers of births in females ages 15-19 years old in the U.S. have been consistently declining over the past 30 years, the birth rate for American Indian/Alaska Native teens remains the highest of all races/ethnicities at 29.2 births per 1,000 females. Additionally, the recent data on STIs is not good. About 50% of new STIs each year occur in people ages 15-24 years old with Chlamydia the most commonly diagnosed STI in this age group. Some STIs can be eradicated with medication if they are tested for and diagnosed, but others are incurable.
The best way to prevent unintended pregnancy and STIs in youth is to give them the chance to have open conversations with trusted adults to express their thoughts and questions, and to empower them with factual information and access to health care. Our job is to help them understand that the only way to 100% prevent pregnancy and STIs is to not have sex, and that waiting to start having sex until they are older and using effective contraceptive methods and STI prevention every time are all ways to avoid unintended pregnancy and STI infection.
Substance use is common in adolescents as they experiment and explore. Though fentanyl use nationally and locally is a serious issue for our community, the most used substances among youth are alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. The latest data we have is from the 2019 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey and is for our five-county region. It details that 60% of regional high school youth reported ever having a drink of alcohol more than a few sips, and 42% reported ever using marijuana. A shocking 11% reported ever using cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin, while 13% said they had a drug interaction on school grounds. Whether they are using or not, substances are around our youth and pose serious risks to their health. Screening, prevention, and treatment of adolescent substance use is one of the core responsibilities in caring for this age group.
Lastly, a frequently covered news topics in recent months is the state of mental health in adolescents. Prior to the pandemic, rates of depression, suicide, anxiety, and self-harm were sharply on the rise in teenagers. Then the past two years happened, forcing teenagers, for whom social interactions and relationships are developmentally at the center of their focus, to physically isolate from their peers. For some students this fostered greater family and cultural connections, but for others it was isolating and contributed to the current adolescent mental health crisis. Asking direct questions and providing appropriate mental health supports is essential in the care of all teenagers. If you know a teenager, sometime today ask them how they are feeling and stay for the answer.
Happy Adolescent Health Month! We provide the best care for adolescents when we recognize the full scope of their health needs and give them access to seek the care they need. Adolescents are great. Our job is to help them feel that way.
Some great places to find quality information about adolescent health topics are: https://opa.hhs.gov/NAHM#, healthychildren.org, and the cdc.gov section on adolescent and school health.
You can make an appointment for your adolescent (or any age child) to be seen at the Southern Ute Health Clinic at 970-563-4581.