ADOLESCENT PREVENTIVE SERVICES

Today, there are significant risks to the health of teenagers. Drugs ( tobacco, alcohol, steroids and others), sex (pregnancy, STDs, date rap e), nutrition (obesity and eating disorders), and violence (abuse, fig hting) are unfortunately a part of many teens' lives. These risks incr ease throughout the teen years. Since each risk has a strong behaviora l component, we hope to modify the behavior and minimize the risk. Pre vention and health promotion are an important part of health care for teens. Primary care providers, such as family physicians, are in an ex cellent position to provide teen preventative care that is comprehensi ve and specific to the needs of each teen.