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ADOLESCENTS
In 2000, individuals aged 13-19 accounted for
roughly 10 percent of the U.S. population. For
the most part, adolescents are a healthy population.
However, adolescence is a time of physical and
emotional growth and exploration. Many adolescents
engage in risk-taking behaviors that may result
in acute illnesses and infections, poor long-term
health outcomes, and even disability and death.
For example, adolescents may experiment with
cigarettes and drugs, be involved in motor vehicle
crashes, and engage in unprotected sex. This
section features many health status indicators
related to cigarette smoking, use of illicit
drugs, adolescent mortality, injury, sexual
intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases,
and pregnancy. Many of these data are presented
by age, gender, race, and ethnicity.
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