Risky behaviors among Louisiana youth

The main threats to adolescents' health are the risky behaviors they engage in and the choices they make. There are six health-risk behaviors that adolescents engage in that account for the majority of morbidity and mortality in this age group: alcohol and drug use; tobacco use; risky sexual behaviors; behaviors leading to intentional and unintentional injury; physical inactivity; and unhealthy dietary behaviors. These behaviors also greatly impact academic achievement. Using morbidity and mortality data obtained from the Office of Public Health and survey data, risk behaviors among adolescents in Louisiana are considered. School-based health centers are one successful strategy for comprehensively addressing these behaviors.