Teen Health 411

Thank You - Grand Rounds 6.31

2010-04-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

Thank you Jenni Prokopy at Chronic Babe for hosting Grand Rounds 6.31 this week and including a farewell (for now) from Teen Health 411.

This week was a wonderful read - so many ladylike stories! A great theme!

Photo credit: Mukumbura

Wellness Assessment for Youth To Get Organized (WAY2GO!) - Update

2010-04-22T08:09:00.000-07:00

The Wellness Assessment for Youth to Get Organized! (WAY2GO!) is an online survey for teens that asks questions about their nutrition, exercise, sexual, safety, substance use, emotional & social health and provides an immediate individually tailored report with resources.

The report also links them to free Vive health coaching that teens can use to develop a personal wellness plan that includes regular messages sent to their computer or phone to support their health goals (e.g., remembering medication, packing a lunch, not using the computer for more than one hour at a time …).

The WAY2GO! is being pilot tested in Santa Clara County and if you would like to participate in the testing of the first online assessment for youth, please follow the instruction below and feel free to contact me (brownn@pamf.org) with feedback.

Instructions:

1. WAY2Go Access Page

2. Select “New User”

3. Enter Keyword = WAY2GO

4. Select “I have read and accept the above practices.”

5. Register – sorry this is a lot of information - remember this is confidential.

6. Select “Take new WAY2GO!”

7. In the Introduction tab – Please ignore “Lab Information” just read the introduction.

8. Complete each section and click “Save & Continue”

Be honest – remember nobody knows and the report will only be accurate if you tell the truth.
Please do not look at other people’s answers – respect privacy!

9. Review your answers – click “edit section” if something is wrong.

10. Select “Save my answers and review report”

11. Yes – opt in - I understand and agree to have …

12. Select “click here to see report.”

13. Review each section of your report

If you click off to see resources, remember to come back to report

14. Note the links to Vive under nutrition section do not work – sorry!

15. Now go back to HOME (top left) and select Go to VIVE

16. Welcome to Vive! To get started, check out our starter packages to help you get started with a few scheduled activities!

To view starter packages go to the "Activities" tab where it says "For a one-click boost, check out some Activity Package," and click the link. Add and/or edit the starter package of your choosing!
If you want to edit your reminder message preferences after adding a starter package (right now they are set up for text message and email), go to "Activities", edit the activities you want to change, and fix your reminder preferences (email, text message, or no reminder at all).

17. If you want to get started on your own, go to the "Activities" tab, browse through our various health activity categories, and add 3 or 4 activities that you'll actually do (don't add too many!). Set up your activities with a goal, then decide if you need a text message or email reminder to actually get the activity done.

18. If you've chosen to receive health tips and reminders via text message or want to use Vive-it on your cell phone, go to "Account" then "Profile," enter your cell phone number, hit "Create Profile" (at bottom of page), and then respond to the Vive verification text message once you get it!

19.Go back to your homepage and your health activities will appear in your Game Plan where you can check them off and enter data for them as you go!

20. Check out our health challenges on the right side of the home page if you want to compete with other users in a fun, social week- or month-long health challenge!

Feedback welcome here: Evaluation - WAY2GO!

Stay Healthy!

Farewell (For Now) From Teen Health 411

2010-04-21T07:09:00.000-07:00

It is with a very heavy heart that I tell you that there will be no more posts on Teen Health 411 as of 4/30/10.

To help you find things easier though, here is the index of the posts through 4/22/10, by topic! Thank you for being a reader!

Abortion (6)
When Denial is Not the Best Choice
Unwanted and Teen Pregnancy in the Media
Supreme Court Restricts Womens Reproductive Freedom
Confidential Reproductive Health Care and Teens
Keep Teens Safe: Vote No on CA Prop 4
Abortion Pills and Safety

Advertising (4)
Can't Buy My Love ...
Shame on RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company
U.S. Food Companies Promise to Limit Food Advertising to Kids
Selling Food to Children: Why is Obesity a Problem?

Alcohol (11)
Alcohol Use and Teens: The Role of Adults
Teens and Alcohol: What is Normal?
Social Norms and Teen Drinking
College Students and Stress
Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction
Alcohol Use and School Attachment
Teens Who Work May Be In Danger
Unintentional Injuries ...
Substance Abuse: Teens & Young Adults
Talking To Teens About Alcohol
Interactive Alcohol Education Resource

Babysitting (1)
Babysitting Rules and Conversation

Beauty (9)
Beauty At Any Cost
For Goodness Sake - Cosmetics Can Kill You
Protect and Care For Your Skin
Seventeen Magazine and the Body Peace Project
Onslaught Video by Dove
Hair Removal and Beauty
Embracing Healthy Skin
Reality TV and Teen Health
Shaving Pubic Hair

Biking (1)
Bike Safety and Manners

Body Art (3)
Tattooing & Body Piercing
Oral & Dental Complications of Piercing
Piercing & Teens

Body Image (12)
The Care & Feeding of Adolescents
Protect & Care for Your Skin
Girls & Body Image
Body, Self-Esteem, Gender & Race
Prom Dresses for Girls Size 16+
Weight Loss Ads & Young Girls
Healthy Living: A Teen Perspective
Teen Body Image
Nancy Redd Is Coming To Palo Alto
Nancy Redd Came To Town! Oh My!
Plus Size Teens- It Is About Time!
Love Your Body Day!

Book Reviews (15)
House of Night Series
News For Twilight Fans
Breaking Dawn Review
Teen Read Week 2008
The 2008 Teens Top 10 Books
House of Night Review: Hunted
Book Review: Momma Zen
Book Review: Evermore & Blue Moon
Book Review Wicked Lovely & Ink Exchange
My Sister's Keeper: Movie & Book Review
The Sharp Brains Guide To Brain Fitness
Choices: A Novel
Prepared Parents Operation Manual For Sending A Kid To College
Tempted: #6 In The House Of Night Series
How I Look Journal
Body Scoop For Girls

Boys (9)
A Boy Crisis
Males, Romance & Success
Teen Boys & Romance
Boys: The Teens We Ignore
Teen Boys & Healthcare
Are Males Dominant, Disconnect & Dangerous
Manorexia: Males & Eating Disorders
Boy's Guide To Becoming A Teen
Young Mens Knowledge About Birth Control

Bullying (14)
Cyberbullying & Fear
Fashion Bullies in Middle School
Setting an Example
Best Practices in Bullying Prevention
School Bullying
Cyberbullying
LGBTQ Harassment
Schools & Parents Taking Action
Harassment & Bullying
Cyberbullying
Bullying & Teens
Cyberbullying
Thinking About Bullying In A New Way
No Name Calling Week

College (39)
Making Community College Important
Book Review: You Are On Your Own (but I'm here if you need me)
The Used To Be Empty Nest
The Launching Years Part 1
The Launching Years Part 2
College Students & Stress
Education Update
A Gap Year
Stanford Here We Come
College Applications & Facebook
Is Character As Important As Grades?
PSAT Scores & College Prep
When Your Kid Goes To College
Are Teens Emotionally Ready For College?
Teens Leaving For College
College Costs: Reality Check
What Matters in the College Application
College Financial Aid
Stanford's Sexual Health
SAT Scores and Athletics
College Touring
Guide to College Admission Process
Transition To College & Single-Sex vs. Coed High Schools
College Touring With Younger Siblings
Is Your Parenting Ready For College?
College Financial Aid - When To Start Applying
College Visits - The OR/WA Road Trip
No More Second Chances At SJSU
What To Take To College
My Kid is Going To College
What to Expect When Your Child Leaves For College
It Is Time To Change The College Application Process
College Courting: Decision Approaching
On The Road Again: Another College Visit
The First Overnight In A College Dorm
College Letters Are Coming
Student Loans
Mixed Gender Dorm Rooms
Drugs & Alcohol On College Campuses
Picking A College - The Last Step

Community Service (2)
Traveling With Teens: Part 3
Community Service & Teens

Death (1)
Teen Beliefs About Premature Death

Divorce (3)
Now What Do I Do: A Guide For Teens
Stable Families Health With Divorce Impact
Parenting Practices Usually Stay Stable

Driving (10)
Hands Free Law
Fewer 16-Year-Olds Driving
July 2008 Bans Cell Phones
Preparing Parents for Teens to Drive
Teens Admit Risky Driving Habits
Teen Driving Risks, Guidance for Parents
Drivers Education & Teen Fatalities
It Is National Teen Driver Safety Week
California Graduated Drivers License
Best States For Teen Drivers

Eating Disorders (8)
Eating Disorders and Teens 1
Eating Disorders and Teens 2
Weight Control in Middle School
Eating Disorder Support On The Web
Orthorexia: The Newest Eating Disorder
Hospitalizations for Eating Disorders
Orthorexia Nervosa - The Newest Eating Disorder
Calling For A Crackdown on Pro-Anorexia Web Sites

Emergency Preparedness (2)
Emergency Preparedness
Set Your Clocks and Check Your Stocks

Emergency Contraception (5)
Plan B Use Increases
Emergency Contraception Survey
Plan B Available to Teens One Way of The Other
Plan B or The Morning After Pill
Plan B Back In The News

Emotional Health (16)
Teens and Depression
Mentors Make A Difference
Parenting As Inspiration
Cutting To Relieve Emotional Pain
What Is The Motivation To Grow Up?
Giving Teens Purpose and Hope For The Future
Homelessness and Families
Emotional Health of Children in the Bay Area
The Impact Of Living With A Depressed Parent
Supporting Distressed Teens
Is Average Really OK?
Worried About A Teen?
Five Signs Of Common Emotional Health Conditions
What Is Worrying Our Children These Days?
Depression and Excessive Internet Use
Antidepressant Use Increases

Employment (8)
Gen Y Employees Not Engaged
Which Teens Work - If They Can Find A Job
The First Day At Work - for Teens And Parents
Labor Force Participation For Teens Is Only 41%
Finding A First Job As A Teen
Teens Who Work May Be In Danger
Teens And Work
Working Teens and Performance Reviews

Financial Education (4)
Families Struggle To Make Ends Meet
Vacation & Financial Education
Your Kids & Investing
Financial Fitness For Teens & Preteens

Fitness and Sports (8)
Youth Need More Exercise
Girls Are Champions
Celebrating Girls & Women In Sports
Sports & Injuries In Teens - Stress Fractures
Girls & Sports
Sports and Injuries In Teens - ACL
Sports-Related Injuries Among High School Athletes
Reasons To Make Sports Available to Youth

Friends (2)
Friends & Healthy Relationships
Helping Friends Who Are Stressed & Depressed

GLBT (15)
In Memory Of Larry King
Bullying Of LGBT Teens
Rainbow Project Book List
Literature For Transgender Youth
Talking To Your Kids About Homosexuality
Colage: Children of Lesbian & Gay Parents
GLBT Movies To Share With Your Teens
Gay Teens
Suicide Risk & LGBT Youth
LGBTQQ Youth
School District Settles With Lesbian Student
No More Gay-To-Straight Therapy Or Treatment
Resources For Sexual Minority Youth
Action tips For Allies Of Transgender People
Cyberbullying and LGBTQ Youth

Healthcare (19)
Defending the Healthcare Rights of Youth
HIV & Your Grandparents
One In 150 Children Has Autism
High Blood Pressure Undiagnosed in Teens
Staph Infections & School
Heart Attacks Can Occur In Teenagers
Teen Health Rights
Getting Teens Hooked Into Preventive Health Care
Breast Cancer & Teens
The Changing Face of Teen Health Care
Doctors Empowering Parents
Why Honor Confidentiality with Teens?
Young Adult Health
Environmental Support for Healthy Behavior
Public Health Begins At Home
Monday: The Day All Health Breaks Loose
Teen Health and Technology
Organ Donation & Teens
Understanding Readiness For Treatment In Teens

Health Facts (22)
For Goodness Sakes - Cosmetics Can Kill
FDA Warning About Products
Sleep Awareness
The Muscle Cramp
A Quart Of Mucus Every Day
Body Drama Review
Most Teens Ages 13 to 17 are Vaccinated
The Health of America's Children is Deteriorating
Staph Infections Increasingly Resistant to Drugs
Keep Your Shoes On Your Feet
Teenage Girls and Calcium
Wash Your Hands & Prevent Flu
What Is Being Done To Prevent H1N1?
It's Not Too Late, Get Your Flu Shots
Life Without Gluten: Celiac Sprue
Ode To The Human Body
Put Your Mom In A Cell Phone
Health Fact Sheets
No More Movie Popcorn For Me
The Choking Game
Middle Age Comes To Teens
Electronic Devices & Headaches in Teens

Hobbies (4)
Scuba as a Hobby
Teens and Pets
Knitting & Teens
Teen Read Week 2009

Holidays (23)
Happy Valentine's Day
Post Holiday Blues
Looking Back on 2007
Happy Thanksgiving
Gratitude & Abundance
Holiday Letters
Teens & Mothers
Coming Of Age
New Year Ritual
Blessings For The Holidays
Teen Health & Holidays
Halloween Tips From Healthline
Happy Thanksgiving 2008
Gratitude and Holidays
Happy Holidays 2008
Happy New Year 2009
Taking Stock: Remembering The Love
Happy Valentine's Day 2009
Special Occasions, Teens & Families
Happy Mothers Day 2009
Happy Thanksgiving 2009
Happy New Year 2010
Bat Mitvah: Coming Of Age

Homework (1)
Sore Eyes During Homework

Injuries (7)
Sports & Injuries: Tennis Elbow
Sports & Injuries: Osgood Schaltter
Emergency Preparedness For Teens
Unintentional Injuries
Sports-Related Injuries
Leading Causes Of Injuries
Pediatric Sports Injuries Increasing

IUD (2)
IUDs For Teenagers
The Intrauterine Contraceptive (IUC)

Media (30)
Youth Trends Entertainment Results
New Media In The Everyday Lives Of Youth
Unwanted And Teen Pregnancy In The Media
Pew Report On Teens & Social Media
Provocative Campaign On Childhood Mental Illness
Web Resources For Parents, Tweens & Teens
Manhunt 2 Rating: Mature or Adults Only
Judge Blocks State Video Game Ban
Teens, Tweens & Technology
Cybering - Scary Or Safe?
It Is T.V. Turn Off Week
Are Violent Video Games Really Bad?
Sexy Girls
Violent Girls: Who Do You Believe?
Turn Off The T.V.
Media Multitasking Among Young People
Teen Hearing & Music
Teens And The World Wide Web
Reality T.V. & Teen Health
Media Literacy & Smoking
Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood
Facebook Users Are Older
Teens and Cell Phones
Facebook Tips For Parents
Facebooking As A Family
Unplugging For Summer Camp
Texting To Build Strong Relationships with Teens
Rehab for Internet Addicts
Violence Against Women Surges
Tips To Reduce Screen Time

Mental Health (16)
Do You Have A Cutting Problem?
DNA And Autism Risk
Successful Health Teens Are Often Ignored
Surviving Teen Suicide Attempt
Teens & Stress
Mental Health Challenges & Resources - Older Adolescents
Connection
Emotional Well-Being
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Research
Surviving A Borderline Parent
Helping Stressed Students
Get Ready for That Feeling of Rejection & Failure
CA & College-Bound Grads
Teens & Depression
Developmental Assets

Mentoring (3)
Mentors Make A Difference
School-Based Mentoring Programs
The Role of Adult Mentors

Movie Reviews (3)
Twilight: Movie Review
Movie Review: Beauty Mark (2008)
New Moon

Nutrition (13)
Sugar And A Soda Free Summer
Free Fast-Food Nutritional Details
Carbohydrate Counting; Teens Beware
Eating Rainbows
High Fructose Corn Syrup is Sugar!
Simple Nutrition Advice Not Always Beneficial
Vegetarianism and Teens
Would You Like A Bigger Butt With That?
Snacking And The Environment
Vitamins & Teens
Making Your Own Gummy Worms
Teens Eating Breakfast More Often

Obesity (16)
Weight Loss Confidential
Metabolic Syndrome & Teens
Meals Matter: Dairy Council
Obesity Rising Among Asian Children
High Blood Pressure Undiagnosed In Children & Teens
Summer Vacation & Obese Teens
US Companies Promise to Limit Food Advertising
Selling Food To Children: Why Is Obesity A Problem
Are You Or Your Teen A Couch Potato?
Online Food Advertising
Health Consequences Of Soda Consumption
The Epidemic Of Childhood Obesity
Obesity - Trying to Slow the Growth
Fat Teenagers and Exercise
School Lunches Linked To Obesity

Online/Internet Safety (7)
Totally Wired
Family Internet Safety Site
What Puts Teens Online At Risk?
Technology & Today's Tweens And Teens
Teens, Privacy & Online Social Networks
A New Online Safety Group
Child Internet Safety

Oral Care (1)
Oral Care for Adolescents

Parenting (55)
The Importance of Family Dinners
Parenting to Prevent Sexual Risk
I Won't Grow Up 1
I Won't Grow Up 2
Great Parent Resource
Happy Mother's Day
A Parenting Book That Could Change Your Life
Unconditional Love: How Hard Can It Be?
Preeten PMS: What Is A Parent To Do?
Dear Ms. President
Post Holiday Blues?
Looking Back on 2007: Teen Health
Bring Back Home Economics!
UCAN Teen Report Card - Teens Grade Parents
Safety & Empowerment - How To Balance Risk For Teens
Preteen Summit - Food For Thought
Does My Tween Or Teen Need A Flu Shot?
In Case Of Emergency (ICE)
Parenting Teens Online Resource
A History of Manga
Tea Time With Teens Total Momsense by Anita Renfroe
MOMfulness Book Review
Peaceful Meditation For Parents Of Teens
Board & Card Games For Family Bonding
Parenting As Inspiration
Cyber Chores
Mothers & Community
Parenting In The 21st Century & Blogs
What Every Parent Should Know About School Involvement
The Importance Of Touch And Teens
Parent-Child Connectedness
Support For Depressed Parents Of Teens
Organized Activity Participation Or Over-Scheduling - Which is Better For Youth?
At-Risk, Privileged, and Pressured
Parenting Preteens
The Line Between Enabling and Supporting
Can My Partner Spend The Night?
What Are Developmental Assets?
Taking Back Our Teens
Overparenting - Can There Be Such a Thing?
How To Improv - Parent a Teen
Momma Zen: Finding Peace and Patience
How Busy Is Busy
The Culture of Food
Finding Time To Connect With Older Teens
Loving Teens From The Inside, Out!
Half Full or Half Empty?
It Is Not My Fault!
Connect With A Teen Today
When "I Love You" Means "Do What I Say!"
Parenting On Demand
Generations Defined
The Ideal Relationship With A Parent
Dinner Together Makes A Difference
And Then She Was 18

Periods (1)
Menstruation Rituals

Politics (3)
Recovery from the Election
Blue Family in a Blue State with Blue Values
Nebraska Parents Abandoning Teenagers

Pornography (2)
Book Review: The Porning of a Generation
Teens & Porn

Pregnancy (8)
Stigma & Teen Pregnancy
Teenage Birth Rate Increased in 2006
Six Steps to Increase Unintended Pregnancy
Reasons For Unprotected Sexual Intercourse
Contraceptive Use is Reducing Adolescent Pregnancy
Mississippi Had Highest Teen Birth Rate
Review Of The Stay Teen Web Site
Teen Pregnancy & Education

Preteens (8)
Girls Guide To Becoming A Teen
The Care & Feeding Of Adolescents
Early Pubertal Development - Girls
Preteen PMS - What Is A Parent To Do?
Preteen Summit, 2008
Preteens and Depression
Sexual Risk Patterns In Junior High
Early Puberty - A Likely Culprit

Relationship Violence (9)
Dating Violence In The News
Abusive Relationships
Internet-Based Abuse Hotline
Dating Violence 1
Dating Violence 2
What is Sexual Harassment?
Talking To Teens About Sexual Violence
Ending Teen Dating Violence
State Report Cards on Teen Dating Violence

Relationships (7)
Love is Respect
Males, Romance & Success
The ABCs of Healthy Teen Relationships
Teen Boys & Romance
When Teens Start Dating
Dating Does Not Mean Sex
Write A Letter Of Appreciation

Research (7)
Summary Of Health Statistics
Abstinence Only Programs
Youth Risk Behavior Survey - United States 2007
Impact of Asking Sensitive Questions
Children Exposure To Violence
Early Puberty & Aggression In Women
Teen Birth Rates Fell Two Percent

Safety (4)
Stroke - Do You Know The Warning Signs
Stranger Danger
Violence & Schools
Native American Women & Sexual Abuse

School/Education (16)
The Importance of Education
Helping Preteens With Homework
Back to School Bootcamp
Homeschooling Banned In CA?
Small Class Sizes & Health
Expanded Learning Time in School
Back-To-School Basics
Picking The Right High School
Cheating Students: Is it Rare?
The Achievement Frenzy
Grade Inflation & Teens
The High School Exit Exam Gets an "F"
How To Help Teens Handle Test Stress
Graduation and Promotion Time
Back to School Time
Confessions Of A Closet Waldorf Parent

Self-Injury (2)
Bodily Harm
Cutting

Sexuality (23)
Freedom = Less Sex
Are Teens Having More Oral Sex?
A Global Perspective on Teen Sex Habits
What is Hooking Up?
Unhooked
Loose Women On Campus
Speaking Out About Adolescent Sexuality
Relationships & Sex
Good Sex = Good Communication
The Incredible Melting Condom
YRBS
Motivation To Have Sex?
Religion & Teen Sexual Behavior
Is It Consensual Sex Or Rape?
Abstinence In The News
Sexuality Education Is Failing Miserably
Facts About Teen Sexual Activity
Virginity Pledges
Why Do College Students Have Unprotected Sex?
New Sexuality Resource From SIECUS
Is Everyone Else Really Doing It?
Sexting: Shall Parents Panic?
Sex::Tech 2010
Have You Had Sex?

Sexuality Education (19)
Sexual Risk Reduction Information To Parents
Congress Extends Funding For Abstinence Education
Parents & Sexuality Education
Plain Talk About Adolescent Reproductive Health
The Birds, The Bees, and Me
Condom Availability In Schools
Fathers, Daughters & Virginity
Religious Declaration On Sexual Morality
Teens & Sexual Health
Teens & Sex
HIV Among US Adolescents
Abstinence-only versus Comprehensive Sexuality Education
Teens & Condoms
Take Care Down There
Reaching Adults - Teens Text About Sex
UN Guide Re: Sex Ed Generates Opposition
Teen Talk Sexuality Education
Sexual Knowledge In The US May Be Low (duh!)
Boys Lie About Sex?

Sexually Transmitted Infection/Disease (7)
Birth Control In Middle School?
Mycoplasma Genitalium
Telling Someone They May Have An STD
STIs Still Increasing In US
STIs Common Within Two Years Of Sexual Debut
STD University
Get Yourself Talking & Tested

Chlamydia (6)
1-in-4 Sexually Active Girls May Have An STI
US #1 In Chlamydia Cases
Condoms Prevent STD: Duh!
Chlamydia & Teens
Reproductive Health & Teens
Chlamydia & Teens

Herpes (1)
Genital Herpes (HSV 2) And Teens

HIV (16)
HIV Infection in People Over 50
Role Of Fathers in HIV Prevention
HIV & Your Grandparents
Girl Positive
Internet & HIV Prevention
HIV & African American Teens
Hormonal Contraception & HIV
HIV Infection & Teens
Teens & HIV Vaccine Trials
Routine HIV Testing
HIV Testing in the United States, 2007
Girls, Women and HIV
Why Aren't We Worrying About HIV Anymore?
Oral Sex and HIV Risk
HIV Testing Among High School Students

HPV (11)
New HPV Vaccine
HPV Update
HPV Vaccines For Boys?
More Q & A About HPV Vaccine
Link Between Oral Cancer & HPV
Could 1 In 4 Women Have HPV?
New Hampshire Offers Free HPV Vaccine
Adolescent Immunizations
HPV Vaccine Update
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
HPV Vaccine Approved For Men & Boys

Sleep (6)
Women & Sleep
Sleep Awareness
Summer Slugs - Sleep & Teens
Teens Having Trouble With Sleep
Sleep In The News
Spring Forward With Crankier Children

Smoking (2)
ADHD, Lead & Smoking
Water Pipe Smoking

Substance Abuse (12)
Social Norms & Teen Drinking
Teen Marijuana Use
Drugs, Brains & Behavior
Alcohol Use & School Attachment
Caffeine & Youth
Substance Abuse
Misuse Of Stimulants
Teen Smoking
Drug & Alcohol Use Leveling Off
Teens And Drugs
Substance Abuse Among Fathers & Teens
Four Generations Overcoming Addiction
Alcohol & Energy Drinks: A Bad Combination

Suicide (9)
Youth Suicide Rates
Helping Prevent Suicide
Break Through The Static
Talk To Me
Survivors Of Suicide
Sleep, Depression & Suicide
Saving Teens From Suicide
Teens And Suicide
We Can Help Us: Suicide Prevention

Tanning (4)
Sun Safety
Skin Cancer & The Beautiful Tan
Summer Means Sunscreen
Skin Cancer Rates Increase

Tragedy (1)
Virginia Tech

Travel (8)
Summer Camp & Independence
Staycations With Teens
Planning Vacations With Teens
Traveling With Teens 1
Traveling With Teens 2
Preparing Your Teen/Preteen For Being Away From Home
International Travel and Teens
When Teens Travel Without You

TV (3)
TV May Hurt Attention & Learning Skills
TV Turnoff Weeks 2009
More To Love - Reality or Education?

Violence (3)
Rape Is A Reality: What College Students Need To Know
Teen Dating Violence
More Violence In PG13 Movies

Women's Health (4)
Vaginal Discharge: What Teens Should Know
Just Say No To Brazillian Wax
National Wear Red Day
Feminine Care Rebellion

Assorted
Alley Dog Honors Teen Health 411
21st Century Teenager
Amazing Cakes in SF Bay Area
Wellness Assessment for Youth To Get Organized!

Photo credit: centralasian

Amazing Cakes in The San Francisco Bay Area

2010-04-20T13:59:00.000-07:00

I just had to share the blog address for this amazing young woman and her cake business! The tut cake you will see is the one she made for my daughter's 18th birthday!

http://cakedoneright.blogspot.com/

Thank You - Grand Rounds 6.30

2010-04-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

Thank you Øystein Horgmo at The Sterile Eye for hosting Grand Rounds 6.30 this week and including a post from Teen Health 411 about the 21st Century Teenager.

This week was a beautiful experience - creative and interesting! Great job!

Photo credit: Ed Bierman

21st Century Teenager

2010-04-18T07:34:00.000-07:00

1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

7. 8. 9.

Reminding us all that teens are so much more than at-risk!

Photo credits:
1. mikebaird
2. San Jose Library
3. marcus_in_ny
4. richardmasoner
5. hoyasmeg
6. Asheboro Public Library
7. NIOSH
8. U-g-g-B-o-y-(-Photograph-World-Sense-)
9. Muffet

Teen Birth Rates Fell Two Percent 2007-2008

2010-04-16T19:07:00.000-07:00

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), although the teen birth rate in the United States rose in 2005 and 2006 but apparently fell two percent between 2007 and 2008. Preliminary data for 2008 suggests 41.5 births per 1,000 teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19, down from 42.5 in 2007. Although this is definitely the right direction, I have to point our however that our pregnancy rate is still huge - about six times that of the Netherlands and three times that of France!

The good news on the other hand was that the birth rates for Latina teens fell to 77.4 births per 1,000 - the lowest in twenty years! Sadly there was no decline in the pregnancy rates for girls aged 10 to 14 and the cesarean delivery rates rose for the 12th straight year to 32.3 percent.

Still plenty to do to help young women dream about and develop futures that do not include parenthood until they are adults.

Photo credit: Polina Sergeeva

And Then She Was 18 Years Old

2010-04-15T06:49:00.000-07:00

Do you remember back when your kids were little, older women would smile at you and say "they grow up so fast, enjoy every second," and you thought they were nuts? Well sadly, they were right!

I blinked and my eldest was turning 18 years old. The beautiful little cherub-faced child who would rub my cheek while she nursed, married me one day in the garden, wanted to be the first president of the universe, and would twirl full-steam until she fell down, laugh, and stand up and do it again, is now an adult.

Since becoming and adult she has signed up for electronic access to her medical health record, got a polio booster (yes, they need one) without needing my signature, opened a checking account, plans to register to vote, and had to give me permission to access her student account at the college she will be attending in the Fall.

I know, I know, I did my job, she does not need me anymore, and must leave the nest, but did it have to happen so fast? Do yourself a favor, hug each of you kids today and do not waste a minute - they really do grow up too fast!

Photo credit: James Burrage

Picking A College - The Last Step

2010-04-14T08:45:00.000-07:00

Finally all of the letters are in, the visits are done and now comes the most difficult decision for your teen - where will s/he spend the next four years of his or her life? If it helps, here are some reflections on how we moved from six acceptances to one "Class of 2014 Facebook Page."

This has been a tough two weeks for our family. First, we moved past wishing she had not applied to so many colleges and the guilt associated with having to say "no" to five very nice admission staff people who have each put so a lot effort into making my oldest daughter want to attend their university, coordinating her visits and sending personal notes welcoming her.

Second, we made a spreadsheet comparing the cost of attendance, financial aid, scholarship and grant offers, allowance, cost of three trips home a year, and added some interesting tidbits about each school - faculty to staff ratio, semester or quarter, start date, etc... We got the list down to her top three at this step!

Third, she went back online and reviewed the study abroad options at each school, the course offerings she would be able to select from as well as the housing options, clubs, etc.... She also spoke to a couple current students from each of her top three schools and chatted about student life and asked some important questions she had not found answers to on the web sites.

Fourth, we attended the online and in-person meetings set up for accepted students so she could see the other students and assess her "fit" with them.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, she lived with each option for 24 hours - daily she selected one school - and every few hours I would ask, "so where are you going to college," or "why did you choose X university?" Her answers were thoughtful and frequently triggered another quest back through the university web site for an answer and then viola - Sunday night she announced her decision - for real!

Monday she experienced the mother of all migraines, but bounced back and has since submitted her housing form and deposit! Let the wild rumpus begin - my first born is going to college!

Photo credit: Freddy The Boy

Thank You - Grand Rounds 6.29

2010-04-13T08:53:00.000-07:00

Thank you Dr. Emer at Parallel Universes for hosting Grand Rounds 6.29 this week and including a post from Teen Health 411 about the increasing amount of violence in movies rated PG-13.

This week was really diverse - self-hypnosis, sexual addiction, emergency kits, narcotic abusers, scars - and the description of Cushings Disease was great!

Photo credit: doug88888

Get Yourself Talking and Tested - GYT (About STIs)

2010-04-12T07:12:00.000-07:00

I am loving the return of the campaign from MTV, the CDC, Kaiser Family Foundation and Planned Parenthood that urges young people to start talking about sexually transmitted infections (STI) and to get themselves tested!

In response to the fact that people under 25 are the most likely to be infected with a STI and the high rates of those infections, this collaboration is encouraging the increase in information and testing. Do you know that one out of two sexually active people in the United States will get a sexually transmitted infection before they are 25 (and most will not even know it)? In addition, youth under the age of 25 are infected with nearly 10 million STIs each year - that is half!

Youth do not know how high their risk is, may believe their doctor is testing them without telling them, or may not understand that most people do not have symptoms related to the infections. The GYT campaign wants to stop the misinformation and lack of knowledge with on-air and online promotions in clinics and on campuses across the country.

Last year this campaign help increase the number of both young women and men screened at Planned Parenthood. You can check it out at GYTNOW.org!

Photo credit: ClevelandSGS

More Violence in PG-13 Movies

2010-04-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

The Annenberg Public Policy Center recently reported that the Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA) rating system has allowed more violent content into movies rated PG-13 but continues to limit sexual content more strictly.

In 1984 the PG-13 category was developed to warn parents about films with content that might be inappropriate for youth under age 13, but today those movies include more violence. In fact, they contain the same amount of violence that used to get rated "R" for adult only and violent movies are the top grossing films of the last decade!

There is a growing concern about the impact of repeated exposure of youth to potentially harmful content. Although there seems to be some debate about it, there is extensive research documenting that exposure to violence increases violent behavior. In fact, adolescents are the most likely to commit violent crimes and the biggest consumers of the violent movies!

On the other hand, research suggests that youth who are well informed about sexuality and its risks and have an adult they can talk to about anything, are less likely to become sexually active until they are adults. Go figure!

Photo credit: darkpatator

Book Review: the Body Scoop for Girls

2010-04-08T06:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, you can judge a book by its cover, which is not always a bad thing. As in the case for the Body Scoop for Girls: A Straight-Talk Guide to a Healthy, Beautiful You (2010) by Jennifer Aston, MD. If when you see Dr. Ashton's picture on the cover you think, "I'd love to talk to her" or maybe "great shoes," then this is the book for you.

Dr. Ashton is an incredible resource about the female body and provides information about everything from boobs to vaginal infections. I loved several of her major messages - like talk to your doctor, she wants to talk with you; wait until you are 18 to have sex - it is better for your body; there is no reason for anyone to have painful periods that interfere with your life; never use over-the-counter creams for vaginal itching; and you are never alone - there are many other people experiencing what you are - reach out!

I learned that 15% of teens have period pain that interferes with their lives; only 40% have PMS although up to 88% of teens experience cramps, irritability, headaches, food cravings, bloating, depression and/or anger with periods. If you are one of the girls experiencing discomfort with your periods, Dr. Ashton suggests you limit sugary food, dairy, and white bread, reduce consumption of processed food, increase the number of fruit and veggie servings you get each day, exercise and start taking Motrin or Advil the day before your period is due, which has to help!

I also learned that when taking two calcium supplements a day, it is better to take one in the morning and one in the evening - instead of taking them together - who knew? Finally I learned more about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and genital trauma than I ever needed to know and am just glad that my daughters managed to grow up with their parts intact!

The Body Scoop includes chapters that cover many topics, and provide some great advice about everything including:

Acne
Breast Development
Periods
Having Sex (or not)
Birth Control
Sexually Transmitted Infections & Safer Sex
Eating Disorders
Depression
Common Vaginal Issues
Grooming

This book is easy to read and has something to offer all girls, but especially those who may not have a wonderful relationship with a doctor or an adult woman to talk about her body with. If you are a teen girl struggling to manage a life focused on having it all and doing it all - school, music or art, sports, community service and a social life then this book will give you some great guidance. This is not the book for teens who cannot imagine going to a spa, having a latte with her doctor, or wonder why on earth any girl in her right mind would get a Brazilian wax.

Photo credit: Tie Guy II

Thank You - Grand Rounds 6.28

2010-04-06T09:45:00.000-07:00

Thank you Dave Munger at The Daily Monthly for hosting Grand Rounds 6.28 this week and including a post from Teen Health 411 about the link between school lunches and obesity.

This week's focus was nutrition and fitness, which never gets old .. although we do! The variety of posts was amazing - from poop to six degrees of separation - never a dull moment!

Photo Credit: dezinerfolio

Skin Cancer - Very Scary Increase in Rates

2010-04-05T06:19:00.000-07:00

Boomers may have a new reputation - according to new cancer research, they are five times more likely to be diagnosed with malignant melanoma - the type of skin cancer that kills the most people.

The incidence rates of melanoma have risen from 7 cases per 100,000 people in the 1970s to 36 cases per 100,000 today. The rising rate corresponds to the increase in tanning during the 1970's when boomers were young adults.

Parents and grandparents of teens should be checked by dermatologists as part of their preventive health care. I can only hope that teens today will be responsible for the stopping of this increase as they have grown up with the message that sunscreen is important and should be a daily part of their lives!

Photo credit: tata_aka_T

Drugs and Alcohol on College Campuses

2010-04-03T06:01:00.000-07:00

There are many things your children take into consideration when selecting a college and unfortunately the amount of drugs and alcohol used on a campus needs to be one of those considerations. Your child may want to avoid the drinking and drugs or like to get a lot of sleep and a "wet" campus will make that tough. On the other hand, your child may be looking forward to drinking, and you need to know that, too.

Your teen will not really know how much alcohol and drugs are part of the culture of each college unless s/he spends the night, but it is sure worth asking about. In tours or with counselors, parents or students can ask what the drug and alcohol policy on campus is and words like "although the state drinking age is 21, we know it happens and we expect people to drink responsibly" are danger signs. You can also ask about incidents of alcohol poisoning each year - a dead giveaway if there is a lot of drinking happening on campus.

Every campus also has substance free floors in dorms or residences, and if this is something your child may consider (you actually should not have a vote), make sure to ask to see those areas. On a recent tour we asked and were told by a resident in the substance free house that it smelled funny and some students thought it was fun to get drunk and visit the substance free house. That attitude does not suggest that students respect each other.

Although as parents we may want to pretend this isn't an issue, it needs to be a conversation you have with your student. Asking them to consider whether they are comfortable being around people drinking, smoking pot or using other drugs will stimulate a conversation about their housing options. It will also give you an opportunity to make sure they know some basic safety information about drinking and how to avoid date rape drugs.

Don't let them learn the hard way - talk to them now!

Photo credit: greyloch

We Can Help Us - Suicide Prevention

2010-04-01T06:09:00.000-07:00

Suicide remains the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds. In 2006, 4,189 people between the ages of 15 and 24 died by suicide, and for each of those, it is estimated that 100-200 other people attempted suicide.

A new national public service announcement campaigned is designed to reduce suicide and suicide attempts among teens in the United Sates. The campaign is a joint project from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Ad Council, and the Inspire USA Foundation.

In an effort to provide support for teens who may be contemplating suicide the We Can Help Us ads are based on the fact that teens face a myriad of problems and many are seeking effective ways to cope with them. Youth are encouraged to visit www.reachout.com for support.

At Reach Out, youth can find information about the warning signs of suicide, a blog, opinion polls, stories from other people who have coped, and support on a safe web site. There are also links to crisis information - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Photo credit: D3 San Francisco

Grand Rounds 6.27

2010-03-30T08:34:00.000-07:00

Evan Falchuk at See First Blog hosted Grand Rounds 6.27 this week and although he did not include a post from Teen Health 411, there are some very interesting (and candid) opinions on health care reform that I thought my faithful readers might be interested in.

After reading the posts included, I am not sure who won, whether the reform is a good thing or not, but change is change and everyone deserves health care. The simplest summary is in the link to Health Care Reform 101. Enjoy!

Photo Credit: Franco Folini

School Lunches Linked to Obesity

2010-03-28T06:17:00.000-07:00

No surprise there! Research from the University of Michigan suggests that say one in three middle school youth who regularly eat school lunches is obese or overweight. They are also more likely to have higher cholesterol levels than kids who bring lunches from home!

The study included 1,076 middle school students who completed questionnaires about what they ate and how much physical activity they got as well as how many screen hours they logged each day.

Compared with kids who ate school lunches, kids who brought lunches from home were:

less likely to be overweight or obese (25% vs 38%);
less likely to eat two or more servings of fatty meats like fried chicken or hot dogs daily (2% vs. 6%);
less likely to drink two or more sugary drinks a day (7% vs. 19%);
more likely to eat at least two servings a day of fruit (49% vs. 33%);
more likely to eat at least two servings a day of vegetables (50% vs. 40%); and
had lower levels of LDL (the bad cholesterol).

In addition, the lunch from home kids were more likely to participate in active sports, got more moderate exercise, and spend less time watching TV, playing video games and using computers outside of school.

It is time to start packing lunches - whether parents or kids do it - their health is at stake! The habits kids develop in middle school continue with them into their teen and adult years, so now is the time to change those nasty habits!

Photo credit: chidorian

2010 Best States for Teen Drivers

2010-03-26T06:16:00.000-07:00

The April issue of U.S. News & World Report will carry a story about the best states for teen drivers as part of a campaign to raise awareness for teen driver safety. The ratings are based on state driving laws and road conditions to determine how much a state is doing to promote safe roads, as well as government statistics on teen driving.

The best states for teen drivers are lead by these top ten (I feel like Letterman):

District of Columbia
California
Colorado
Maryland
Illinois
New Jersey
Oregon
Minnesota
Utah
Washington

Car crashes kill more teens each year than anything else and as far as I am concerned any effort to change that is good! Sadly though, in spite of 61% of teens reporting that they worry about getting in an accident, teens continue to practice some very unsafe behaviors, as reported in this article:

82% of driving teens report using cell phones while driving;
49% admit to being distracted by texting and instant messaging while driving; and only
65% of teens think they are good drivers who pay attention.

Teens (81%) also reported that their parents have the biggest influence on their driving - so as parents, we need to step up our role modeling and training! No cell phones in the car!

Photo credit: bochalla

Mixed Gender Dorm Rooms

2010-03-24T06:18:00.000-07:00

It is not your parent's college dorm experience! In the 60's we thought co-ed dorms were rebellious, but now my daughter has the option of having a co-ed dorm room! It seems that at several dozen schools in the United States, including Brown University, University of Pennsylvania, Oberlin, Clark University, and Stanford University, students can opt to share a room with anybody of either sex!

How interesting is this? I can imagine this is wonderful for transgender people who might feel much more comfortable living with the biological sex they identify with, and for lesbians or gay men who might worry a heterosexual roomie, but it might be disastrous for young lovers if there is a break-up.

The world is changing - how fun that I get to watch!

Photo credit: Steve Rhodes

Thank You - Grand Rounds 6.26

2010-03-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you Dr. RL Bates at Suture for a Living for hosting Grand Rounds 6.26 this week and including a post from Teen Health 411 about feminine product marketing.

This week's Grand Rounds, with it's wonderful theme celebrating women, was so very interesting! I am exercising as we speak - and loved the video about exercise - but have to start my work day I think!

Photo credit: Ed Bierman

Feminine Care Rebellion - Period!

2010-03-22T06:43:00.000-07:00

Women are talking about their bodies and their health - which is good! Right?

You would not think so if you are following the debate around the new UbyKotex.com marketing campaign, which I think is brilliant! The new products are targeting younger women, have color and humor, and make fun of the tampon and period ads we have seen for years -- that relate to absolutely no known experience of any woman I have ever known.

Periods for most young women include embarrassment, fear of leaking, acne breakouts, irritability, some cramping, extra laundry, planning, and secrecy - which is so sad! This experience is not the happy, dancing, sporty women we see in the ads - and this new campaign honors the "real" experience and takes the secrecy out of the process! It encourages girls to talk, ask questions and celebrate their bodies!

There are videos, information, free products and a lot of laughs at the web site - check it out! As an added bonus, Kotex is donating money (every time someone signs up) to Girls for a Change, a national not-for-profit company based in San Francisco that pairs urban middle school and high school girls with professional women to encourage social change. Go Kotex!

Photo credit: JOE MARINARO

Young Men's Knowledge About Birth Control

2010-03-21T06:15:00.000-07:00

Or lack of! People, people, people - if you do not understand how birth control works, you should not be having sex! What happened to the old days when the boyfriend was expected to sit through the video and conversation about all the types of birth control during the appointment at Planned Parenthood?

A friend sent me a link to the funniest video of men (trying to) explain how birth control works - and it is worth viewing for the laughs! These are all adult men who have some serious misconceptions about how birth control works, but "lady business" as a euphemism for vagina may become part of my vocabulary!

It is no wonder that the United States has some of the highest rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections - our youth are ignorant about how to prevent them! Please talk to your teens about birth control!

Remember that the teens who know the most about sexuality tend to be the ones who do not have sex -- how is that for motivation to talk to your teens!

Photo credit: nateOne

Student Loans

2010-03-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

Here is an important topic around our house these days ... as the college acceptances dribble in with scholarships and grant offers that all seem to leave about $20k a year for me to cover. All I can say to those of you with younger kids is, "double your college saving plan!"

A good education may be the most important investment a parent can make in a child's life and seems to have become one of the most costly, too! It is not that public schools are the answer - as governments fail to support the public systems the UCs can be as expensive as some of the private schools. The UCs this year are coming in around $30K a year and the private colleges running between $36 and $50K, but with more financial aid, leaving parents everywhere wondering what to do!

Last year students and parents borrowed more than $95 billion in loans - both federally guaranteed and private - so here is some information that might help.

There are three basic types of loans for undergraduate families: federal loans made by the government directly; federal loans made by banks and other lenders and guaranteed by the government; and private and alternative loans from banks, sometimes in partnership with the college. The simplest way to borrow seems to be from the federal government through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, but the college has to participate in the direct loan program.

Federal loans are the best and have a fixed interest rate and allow more creativity when it comes to repayment. Stafford loans are the most popular - subsidized if students have enough financial need - meaning the government pays the interest while students are in college, or unsubsidized meaning interest accumulates while they are in school. Perkins loans are for low-income students receiving Pell Grants and parents of youth eligible for those can take out Parent PLUS loans (Parental Loans for Undergraduate Students).

The interest for these loans is set by congress and most lenders charge the maximum - around 6.8% now for undergraduate students. There are also limits set on how much students can borrow - about $31k over four years.

Once you leave this world things get scary and everyone I talk to says private loans are not the way to go - so if you can make the federal loans work for your (soon to be) undergraduate's education - stick to them! And that's the fact!

Photo credit: Andrei!