Children, Adolescents, & Teens
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Did You Know? is a weekly feature from the Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support to inform your prevention activities. We invite you to read, share, and take action!
View the Current Did You Know?
September 15, 2017
- The academic performance of America’s youth is strongly connected to their health.
- US high school students who engage in substance use, risky sexual behaviors, violence, and suicidal behaviors are more likely to report lower grades at school.
- Public health departments can partner with education agencies and use CDC tools and resources to support student health.
August 11, 2017
- The number of motor vehicle crashes involving 17- and 18-year old drivers increased in 2014 and 2015, and crashes remained the leading cause of death for US teens.
- Eight danger zones—like driver inexperience and nighttime driving—contribute to teen crashes.
- The strategies in CDC’s Graduated Driver Licensing System Planning Guide can help states evaluate and improve their programs addressing these leading causes of teen driver crashes.
April 28, 2017
- About 1 in 7 US children aged 2–8 years has a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder, such as anxiety, learning problems, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
- Kids who have these disorders and live in rural areas face personal, financial, and neighborhood challenges more often than those who live in urban areas.
- Rural children and their parents might need additional support from states, healthcare systems, and primary care providers—here’s how to help them thrive.
April 21, 2017
- Vaccination of children born during 1994–2013 will prevent an estimated 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations, and 732,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes.
- Following the recommended childhood immunization schedule protects babies and children by providing immunity early in life.
- Healthcare providers and public health professionals can educate patients about the importance of vaccination and staying on schedule using easy-to-read resources recommended by CDC.
January 27, 2017
- CDC’s newly released Winnable Battles final report shows meaningful improvements in key public health areas.
- Since 2009, rates of teen births and youth and adult smoking have declined significantly, and between 2008 and 2014, central line-associated bloodstream infections in acute care hospitals decreased by 50%.
- A color-coded dashboard shows where more work is needed, especially in obesity, foodborne illness, and motor vehicle injuries.
October 21, 2016
- Dental sealants prevent 80% of cavities in the back teeth (molars), where most cavities occur.
- School-aged children without dental sealants have almost 3 times more cavities than those with sealants―according to the latest Vital Signs report.
- States can protect millions more children from cavities by starting or expanding dental sealant programs in schools.
September 9, 2016
- US lesbian, gay, and bisexual high school students experience substantially higher levels of bullying and other forms of violence than their peers [PDF-74KB].
- Bullying can occur in person or online, resulting in physical, social, and emotional difficulties and academic problems.
- Schools, teachers, parents, and community members can use proven tools and resources to recognize bullying and stop it.
May 6, 2016
- Only about 40%–50% of young children (ages 2–5 years) receive psychological services as part of their treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—according to the latest Vital Signs report.
- Behavior therapy is the recommended first-line treatment for young children with ADHD; it can work as well as medication and without the side effects.
- Healthcare providers should first refer parents [PDF–634KB] of young children with ADHD for training in behavior therapy before prescribing medication.
April 15, 2016
- Some vaccine-preventable diseases still affect children and adults in the United States; in fact, there were 667 cases of measles and 32,971 cases of whooping cough in 2014.
- Vaccines given by age 2 provide safe and proven protection against serious childhood diseases [PDF-2.8MB].
- Healthcare professionals can talk with parents about vaccines and share resources to help them learn more about vaccines for their children.
February 12, 2016
- In 2013, among students who dated, 21% of girls and 10% of boys reported physical and/or sexual violence from a dating partner.
- Teen victims of dating violence are more likely to use tobacco, drugs, and alcohol and to have symptoms of depression.
- Local health departments, schools, and community partners can use the Dating Matters Capacity Assessment and Planning Tool (DM-CAPT) to start or improve comprehensive initiatives to prevent teen dating violence.
January 8, 2016
- More than 18 million US middle and high school youth were exposed to e-cigarette ads in 2014, according to the latest Vital Signs report.
- Exposure to e-cigarette advertisements might be contributing to increases in e-cigarette use among youth.
- States and communities can use proven approaches to prevent youth from using tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.
June 12, 2015
- HEADS UP! About 60%–70% of young athletes might try to hide concussion symptoms[PDF-244KB] from their coach and keep on playing.
- Recognizing and responding to concussions when they first occur can prevent further injury or even death.
- You can customize and share CDC materials—including tools for parents, coaches, and other school professionals—to improve concussion reporting, recovery, and safety.
May 1, 2015
- Use of e-cigarettes and hookahs skyrocketed among middle and high school students between 2013 and 2014, offsetting declines in use of other tobacco products.
- About 4.6 million middle and high school students currently use tobacco products. Youth use of tobacco in any form–combustible, noncombustible, or electronic–is unsafe.
- Apps, text messages, and other tools, as well as resources from state tobacco control programs, can help keep teens from using tobacco.
April 17, 2015
- Rates of teen births [PDF-387KB] and motor vehicle crash deaths [PDF-238KB] continue to fall, according to a new CDC Winnable Battles progress report.
- Use of innovative tools such as the Motor Vehicle Prioritizing Interventions and Cost Calculator for States is boosting progress, but one-third of the Winnable Battles targets are trending in the wrong direction.
- Public health practitioners can help make our nation healthier by using the evidence-based strategies and programs highlighted in the CDC Winnable Battles Progress Report 2014 [PDF-1.4MB].
April 10, 2015
- More than 273,000 infants, or 750 babies per day, were born to teens aged 15 to 19 [PDF–1.8MB] in 2013, according to the latest CDC Vital Signs.
- Teen childbearing carries high health, social, and economic costs for everyone—learn how your state ranks in rates of teen birth and pregnancy.
- Doctors can help prevent teen pregnancy by using CDC’s contraceptive guidance and discussing long-acting reversible contraceptives—such as IUDs and implants—as an option for teens.
September 12, 2014
- Nine in 10 US children eat too much sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure [PDF-830KB].
- Every meal can add sodium to a child’s diet—more than 40% of sodium comes from 10 common foods.
- Communities can help by supporting [PDF-238KB] sodium-reduction standards and strategies [PDF-219KB] in restaurant meals, processed foods, and school meals and snacks [PDF-1.8MB].
August 22, 2014
- In 2013, about one in four high school students surveyed had participated in at least one hour of physical activity per day during the week before the survey.
- Children and adolescents should be physically active for at least an hour a day. Being active during the school day can enhance academic performance [PDF-2.5MB].
- Schools can use CDC’s Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs: A Guide for Schools to help students meet their physical activity requirements and develop knowledge, skills, and confidence to remain active for a lifetime.
August 8, 2014
- Children are eating more fruits, but not more vegetables.
- Six in ten children still aren’t eating enough fruits, and nine in ten aren’t eating enough vegetables.
- Schools and childcare providers can help close this gap by meeting federal nutrition standards and letting children grow, taste, and prepare their own fruits and vegetables on site.
June 27, 2014
- New Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) results reveal that smoking rates among US high school students have dropped to 15.7 percent, the lowest level recorded since the student survey began in 1991.
- YRBS findings show significant declines in physical fighting [PDF-2MB] during the past 20 years; fighting on school property declined by half.
- You can use YRBS data to compare state, local, and national risk behavior rates and read fact sheets about alcohol use, drug use, obesity, sexual risk behaviors, and other youth health risk behaviors.
April 25, 2014
- Obesity rates among American children and adolescents are high. About 17%, or 12.5 million, are obese.
- Experts recommend physical activity requirements in childcare facilities and schools, yet few states have such policies.
- You can find out how your state rates regarding physical activity requirements and other important public health topics on the Prevention Status Reports state page.
April 11, 2014
- In 2012, there were 86,423 births to US teens aged 15–17 years, accounting for 28% of all births to teens aged 15–19 years.
- Becoming a teen mom can affect one’s chances of finishing high school, going to college, and getting a good job.
- CDC has resources for healthcare providers on how to create a teen-friendly sexual and reproductive health clinic.
February 28, 2014
- A new CDC study finds that US children with sickle cell disease are more likely to develop invasive pneumococcal disease than children without sickle cell disease.
- About 1.6 million people die each year from pneumococcal disease worldwide, and about 10% with the invasive form will die from it.
- Children with sickle cell disease should be given vaccines, including the pneumococcal disease vaccine, in accordance with CDC’s recommended immunization schedule [PDF – 122KB].
February 7, 2014
- Motor vehicle crashes killed more than 9,000 children aged 12 years and under over the past decade.
- Almost half of all black (45%) and Hispanic (46%) children killed in crashes during 2009-2010 were not buckled up, compared with 26% of white children.
- States can help reduce child motor vehicle injuries and deaths by using recommended strategies to increase car seat, booster seat, and seat belt use.
January 3, 2014
- Mercury spills in schools are not only dangerous but also expensive to clean up.
- Mercury exposure [PDF-1.1MB] can affect the nervous system, lungs, and kidneys of children. Serious cases can result in brain damage—and even death.
- Help schools prepare for and prevent a mercury spill; visit the new Don’t Mess with Mercury website for educational materials and animated video messages.
December 6, 2013
- A new CDC study found a 42% increase in the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in US children aged 4 to 17 years between 2003 and 2011, as reported by parents—estimates vary widely among states.
- Children with ADHD are more likely to have problems in school, have strained family and peer relationships, and be injured than children without ADHD.
- Knowing the symptoms of ADHD is essential so children can get the help they need and reach their full potential.
November 22, 2013
- CDC’s Winnable Battles Progress Report, 2010–2015 [PDF-785KB] describes the progress being made in addressing these critical public health challenges.
- CDC and partners are on track to decrease teen birth rates by 20% [PDF-420KB], reduce motor vehicle crash fatalities by 31% [PDF-453KB], and reduce certain healthcare-associated infections in hospitals by 60% [PDF-178KB] by the 2015 target date.
- Identifying and focusing on Winnable Battles has helped promote progress. CDC will continue to work closely with partners at the national, state, and local levels to achieve Winnable Battle targets.
August 9, 2013
- Obesity rates among low-income preschool children declined slightly from 2008 through 2011 in 19 of 43 states and US territories studied.
- Children who are overweight or obese as preschoolers are 5 times as likely as normal-weight children to be overweight or obese as adults.
- State and local officials can use recommended strategies [PDF-2.6MB] to help drive down rates of childhood obesity in their communities.
April 5, 2013
- Nearly 1 in 5 teen births are repeat births. Of approximately 365,000 teen births in 2010, 66,800 were repeat births.
- Repeat teen births can severely limit a mother’s ability to finish her education or get a job and carry substantial health, emotional, social, and financial costs for teen mothers and their children.
- CDC provides guidelines for healthcare professionals to counsel sexually active teens on the most effective types of birth control and resources for parents to talk to their teens about preventing repeat pregnancies.
November 30, 2012
- One in four of all new HIV infections occur among youth ages 13‒24 years, yet 60 percent of youth with HIV are unaware they are infected.
- HIV testing, especially for youth at risk, helps prevent the spread of HIV and save lives.
- Many effective interventions have been shown to reduce risky behaviors among youth.
November 9, 2012
- Each day, more than 1,200 people in the U.S. die from smoking and more than 2,500 youths and young adults become regular smokers.
- Although smoking is decreasing among youth, seven percent of middle-school students and 23 percent of high school students used some form of tobacco last year.
- CDC offers helpful resources for preventing tobacco use among youth.
October 5, 2012
- The percentage of teens in high school who reported they drink and drive has decreased by more than half since 1991.
- Still, one in ten high school teens drinks and drives—that was nearly one million teens in 2011.
- Effective interventions to reduce teen drinking and driving include enforcement of minimum legal drinking age laws, zero tolerance laws, and graduated driver licensing systems.
June 8, 2012
- CDC released new 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey results on June 7, 2012, on significant health-risk behaviors among high school students.
- Nationwide, more high school students use seatbelts and fewer drive when drinking alcohol, but 1 of every 3 has texted or e-mailed while driving.
- You can compare state, local, and national risk behavior rates with Youth Online, and learn how schools help youth make healthy choices.
April 20, 2012
- The injury death rate among children dropped nearly 30% over the last decade, yet injury is still the leading cause of death among children.
- More than 9,000 children died from injuries in the United States in 2009.
- States and communities can align their child safety efforts with the new National Action Plan for Child Injury Prevention.
October 21, 2011
- Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years.
- Schools can help students adopt healthy behaviors that are key to preventing obesity by implementing CDC’s new school health guidelines.
- Presentation materials are available to help you promote and implement healthy eating and physical activity policies and practices for students.
August 19, 2011
- CDC released the 2010 School Health Profiles this week; there are substantial differences in what states, cities, and territories are doing to promote student health and well-being.
- The majority of secondary schools in 13 states, for example, do not sell less nutritious foods and beverages; see how your jurisdiction is doing.
- You can support youth in making healthy choices by helping schools establish and enforce strong nutrition standards.
April 29, 2011
- This week CDC released the first Children’s Food Environment State Indicator Report.
- Communities, child care facilities and schools all have roles to play to improve children’s food choices and influences.
- CDC provides strategies and solutions to promote healthy eating and fight childhood obesity.
April 8, 2011
- More than 400,000 teenagers aged 15 to 19 years give birth each year in the United States.
- CDC supports innovative domestic research to prevent unintended teen pregnancy.
- CDC also addresses disparities in teen pregnancy and birth rates as part of the President’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative.
Did You Know? information and web links are current as of their publication date. They may become outdated over time.
- Page last reviewed: April 21, 2017
- Page last updated: September 15, 2017
- Content source: