This monograph presents an overview of adolescent health in the United States. Section 1 provides a brief introduction to the monograph. Section 2 presents one view of what constitutes adolescence and the threat to adolescent health, conceptualizing the latter to include health-compromising behaviors that put adolescents at risk for future…

According to data from national survey of 17,110 children under age 18, children living with single mothers or with mothers and stepfathers were more likely than those living with both biological parents to have repeated a grade, been expelled, been treated for emotional or behavioral problems, and to have elevated scores for behavioral problems…

In the fall of 1993, the Nevada Department of Education conducted its third biennial survey to assess drug and alcohol attitudes and use among students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. The results of this survey are reported here. All of the state's school districts were represented by the 9,401 students participating. The survey findings are…

Adolescent health is influenced not only by the strengths and vulnerabilities of individual adolescents, but also by the character of the settings in which they lead their lives. The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) is the first national study of adolescent health designed to measure the social settings of adolescent…

This report summarizes data compiled in a survey of student health conducted among 53,362 7th and 12th grade students in the spring of 1993. In order to compare these results to older students' health, 990 students attending Adult Basic Education centers were also surveyed. The survey instrument, which appears in Appendix A, contains 77 questions…

This curriculum is designed to address several facets of intervention involving children of alcoholics and other students at high-risk. While the guide was intended to be used in rural school districts, the basic information may be helpful for all communities. The curriculum includes eight sessions devised to identify, teach, and intervene with…

This document consists of the 11 issues of the Children's Defense Fund (CDP) Report published during 1996. Issues discuss concerns related to child advocacy and provide information on problems in children's lives in the United States. Regular sections in each issue are the editorial column "A Voice for Children," a status report on…

This document consists of the three issues of the "Voices for Illinois Children" newsletter published during 1998. Voices for Illinois Children is a child advocacy group that works to make kids "count" in Illinois and to ensure that the basic needs of all children, families, and communities are met. These three newsletter…

Substantial numbers of children and adolescents experience symptoms of sadness, dysphoria, and other characteristics associated with depression. The nature of depression in children and adolescents has presented challenges in identification and definition. This chapter reviews research on depression in children and adolescents. Three current…

This document is comprised of the three "Voices for Illinois Children" newsletter issues published during 1999. Voices for Illinois Children is a child advocacy group that works to make kids "count" in Illinois and to ensure that the basic needs of all children, families, and communities are met. These newsletter issues explore…

The United States is recognized as leading the industrialized world in violent death rates. The increase in youth violence is primarily attributable to an increase in the "lethality" and not the "frequency" of violent acts because more crimes are being committed with handguns. This chapter reviews the existing literature on…

This chapter provides an overview of current school-based youth suicide prevention efforts. Rather than review the wide variety of existing broad-based and focused school-based prevention programs, the chapter covers conceptually grounded exemplars for which there are some empirical data to illustrate recommended, available youth suicide…

When compared to other industrialized countries, America ranks first in many areas, including military technology and Gross Domestic Product. However, in areas related to child welfare, America does not rate so high. American youngsters are frequently placed in physical danger and many begin school ill-prepared to learn. In March 1997, the…

These 13 issues of the Children's Defense Fund Report from 1997 discuss concerns related to child advocacy and provide information on problems in children's lives in the United States. Regular features include the editorial column "A Voice for Children," a status report on federal legislation related to children, descriptions of…

These five newsletters comprise volume 20 of "CDF Reports." They discuss concerns related to child advocacy and provide information on problems in children's lives in the United States. Regular features include the editorial column "A Voice for Children"; a status report on federal legislation related to children; descriptions…