Early adulthood spans ages 19 though 24 and, coupled with adolescence, is a period of great challenges and of great promise. School is a central focus for most adolescents and many young adults, and can play an important role in their health through its services including health and physical education classes, food services, and health clinics. Moreover, young women who complete high school are at lower risk for such problems as substance abuse, delinquency, intended and unintended injury, and unintended pregnancy and enjoy higher rates of socioeconomic status, better health, and improved employment prospects throughout life.
Most young women progress through adolescence and early adulthood in good physical health.
Deaths from accidents, the number one killer of adolescent and young adult females, have decreased in recent years due mainly to reductions in motor vehicle accident deaths. However, the homicide and AIDS death rates for these populations have increased in recent years and those for suicide have remained fairly steady. Figure 1 depicts the prevalence of several significant damaging behaviors among adolescents and young women between the ages of 12 and 21. Gender socialization and gender stereotyping, which usually begin in childhood, may have a significant impact upon females during their adolescent and young adult years. This gender-based disparity may occur at home, in school, or in social and other community settings and can result in problems related to interaction with family members, other authority figures, and peers and with school performance.