Teen suicide rates have tripled in past years. Screening for depression, recognizing it and addressing it might help to lower these high rates. A doctor can recommend a child psychologist the teen can speak to or a support group, depending on the nature of his or her problem. There is no set rule for how often teens need to get a checkup. Federal health guidelines call for them to be seen by a doctor every year.
Many young athletes do have an annual exam, usually required by the school or team.
But interim checkups are usually adequate. Whether it is every year or every couple of years doesn't matter as much as simply ensuring teens don't skip a doctor's visit just because they stop going to the pediatrician. Although teen pregnancy rates have been decreasing significantly in the United States, this nation has the highest teenage pregnancy rate among developed countries. Smoking is associated with a host of other risky behaviors, such as fighting and engaging in unprotected sex. The text presented on these pages is for your information only.