Behavioral risk factors in adolescence as a basis for health planning.

Adolescence has been described as the age when the population is at its peak of health and physical performance. While this may be correct, it is also the age at which the future adult's state of health may be strongly influenced by behavior. It is therefore possible that the identification of behavior patterns that pose a risk to the adolescent (either immediately or for the later development of disease) could form the basis for logical health planning for this age-group. A model has been developed that itemizes the major behavioral risk factors in adolescence and indicates the possibilities for intervention. This model includes the following behavior characteristics: violent behavior (leading to accidents, etc.), cigarette smoking, drug use, sexual intercourse without contraception, the imbibing of alcoholic beverages, the taking of medicines without medical advice, and over- and undereating. The relevance of certain of these practices to the high school dropout phenomenon as a major social problem is emphasized. It is suggested that, on the basis of the model and of knowledge of certain demographic characteristics, risk groups can be identified and relevant health and welfare services planned.