Adolescent and Health Disparities

Health disparities are preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations. Populations can be defined by factors such as race or ethnicity, gender, education or income, disability, geographic location (e.g., rural or urban), or sexual orientation. Health disparities are inequitable and are directly related to the historical and current unequal distribution of social, political, economic, and environmental resources.

Health disparities the result of multiple factors, including

• Poverty
• Environmental threats
• Inadequate access to health care
• Individual and behavioral factors
• Educational inequalities

Health disparities are also related to inequalities in education. School dropout is associated with multiple health and social problems.2-3 In general, people with less education are more likely to experience a range of health risks such as obesity, substance abuse, and intentional injuries and unintended, compared with individuals with more education.4 higher levels of education are associated with longer life and greater likelihood of obtaining or understanding basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.5 -7

At the same time, good health is associated with academic success. Health risks such as teenage pregnancy, poor dietary habits, inadequate physical activity, physical and emotional abuse, substance abuse, and gang involvement have a significant impact on how students perform in school.

Asthma illness among Children and Youth

Asthma is a chronic disease leading to children and young people in the United States. In 2007, 5.6 million school-age children and youth (5-17 years of age) today reported that asthma, and 2.9 million had an asthma episode or attack in the previous year. 1 On average, in a classroom of 30 children, about 3 are likely to have asthma.

Asthma is a major cause of school absenteeism. In 2003, an estimated 12.8 million days of school missed because of asthma among the more than 4 million children who reported at least one asthma attack in the previous year.

Low-income populations, minorities and children living in inner cities experience more emergency room visits, hospitalizations and deaths due to asthma than the general population.

The estimates for 2005-2007 indicate that Black and Hispanic children in Puerto Rico had higher prevalence rates compared with non-Hispanic whites.

The estimated cost of treating asthma in children under 18 years is $ 3.2 billion per year.

Asthma attacks, also known as episodes, can be caused by snuff smoke, dust mites, animal hair and feathers, certain molds, chemicals and strong smells in the school environment.

Asthma can be controlled with proper diagnosis, appropriate asthma care and management activities.

Alcohol & Drug Use Health Problem

Alcohol is one of the most widely used active ingredients in the world. Alcohol consumption and binge drinking among young people of our country is a major public health problem:

Alcohol is used by more young people in the United States that snuff or illicit drugs.

Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with about 75,000 deaths per year.

Alcohol is a factor in approximately 41% of deaths from car accidents.

Among young people, using alcohol and other drugs has been linked to unintentional injuries, fights, academic and employment problems, and illegal behavior.

Long term alcohol abuse is associated with liver disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological damage and psychiatric problems like depression, anxiety and antisocial personality disorder.

Drug use contributes directly and indirectly to the HIV and alcohol and drugs contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality.

Since 1988, all states prohibit the purchase of alcohol by young people under 21. Therefore, consumption of alcohol is defined as the consumption of alcohol before the minimum age for legal drinking age of 21. Current alcohol use among high school students remained stable from 1991 to 1999 and then decreased from 50% in 1999 to 42% in 2009. In 2009, 24% of high school students reported heavy episodic or binge drinking.

Zero tolerance laws in all states it is illegal for youth under 21 years of age to drive with any measurable amount of al cohol in your system. In 2009, 10% of high school students reported driving a car or other vehicle during the past 30 days who had been drinking alcohol. In addition, 28% of students traveling in a car or other vehicle during the last 30 days driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol.

Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Facts

ADHD is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often into adulthood. Children with ADHD have difficulty paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (can act without thinking about what will be the outcome), and in some cases, hyperactivity.

A child with ADHD might:

• have a hard time paying attention
• daydream a lot
• not seem to listen

Types



There are three different types of ADHD, depending on which symptoms are strongest in the individual:

1. Predominantly Inattentive Type:
2. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type:
3. Combined Type:

Causes of ADHD

Scientists are studying the cause (s) and risk factors in an effort to find better ways to control and reduce the chances of a person with ADHD. Factors cause (s) and the risk for ADHD are unknown, but current research shows that genetics plays an important role. Recent studies of twins link genes with ADHD.

ACES — Active Community Environments

CDC's Active Community Environments Initiative (ACES) promotes walking, cycling and the development of leisure facilities available. It was developed in response to data from a variety of disciplines, including public health, urban design and transportation planning.

This initiative encourages environmental and policy interventions that affect a higher level of physical activity and improve public health. The objectives are

• encourage the development of pedestrian and bicycle friendly environments.
• promote active forms of transport such as walking and biking.
• disseminate information related to active community environments.

The ongoing efforts to promote the objectives of the Active Community Environments Initiative include

• promoting physical activity through trails.
• KidsWalk development program to the school to promote walking and biking to school.
• collaboration with public and private organizations to promote the website and NationalExternal icon icon International External Website Walk-a-Day School.
• Community development activities around guide for public health professionals use to work with transportation and planning organizations in the city to promote walking, biking and leisure facilities close to home.
• a partnership with the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Assistance Program for the Conservation of promoting the development and use of your home close to parks and recreational facilities.
• collaboration with the Agency for Environmental Protection in a national survey to examine U.S. public attitudes toward the environment, walking and biking.

Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs)

Active bacterial core surveillance (ABCs) is a component of CDC's Emerging Infections Program Network (EIP), a collaboration between CDC, state health departments and universities.




ABC is a laboratory population, surveillance of invasive bacterial pathogens of importance to public health.

For each case of invasive disease in the population under surveillance, a case with basic demographic information is completed and bacterial isolates are sent to CDC and other reference laboratories for additional laboratory evaluation.

Transmission of Acinetobacter infection

Acinetobacter

Acinetobacter is a group of bacteria commonly found in soil and water. Outbreaks of Acinetobacter infections typically occur in intensive care units and health facilities housing patients very sick.

Symptoms of Acinetobacter infection

cinetobacter causes a variety of diseases ranging from pneumonia to serious blood or wound infections, and symptoms vary depending on the disease.


Transmission of Acinetobacter infection

Acinetobacter has very little risk to healthy people. However, people with weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease or diabetes may be more susceptible to infection by Acinetobacter.

Hospitalized patients, especially in very ill patients on a ventilator, those with prolonged hospital stay, those who have open wounds, or any other person with invasive devices such as urinary catheters are at increased risk of infection with Acinetobacter.

Prevention of Acinetobacter infection

Acinetobacter can live on the skin and may survive in the environment for several days. Careful attention to infection control procedures, such as hand hygiene and environmental cleaning, can reduce the risk of transmission.

Treatment of Acinetobacter infection

Acinetobacter is often resistant to many commonly prescribed antibiotics. Decisions on treatment of infections with Acinetobacter should be made on a case-by-case basis by a healthcare provider.