As a rule, adolescents are physically healthy. Significant progress has been made over the past two decades in reducing juvenile motor vehicle deaths, the use of alcohol, cigarettes and illegal substances, and the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases. However, since 1990 some risky behaviors have again increased. Teen smoking is up by as much as two percent per year since 1992. Until recently, marijuana use had increased for three straight years among eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders.
Homicide is the second leading cause of death for young people.
Although the percentages vary from year to year, even one child at health risk is too many.