[Health promotion in adolescents in Latin America]

The First International Conference on Health Promotion (Ottawa 1996) consolidated and developed the interest of Latin American countries in the amelioration of the health of their populations. Initiatives such as the International Conference for Health Promotion in Columbia in 1992 and the adoption in 1993 of the Caribbean Charter for Health Promotion show the efforts that have been carried out by different American countries to work toward the principles of the Ottawa Charter and to adapt them to their realities. This article focuses on the state of health of adolescents in Latin America as well as different actions that have been, and continue to be, carried out. The authors first discuss the peer approach to health education, which has been used in many health promotion actions throughout Latin America because of its effectiveness. Often in developing countries, the oldest children care for the younger ones. This approach therefore provides a way to reach not only peers of the adolescent involved, but also other youth in his/her entourage. Also, the participation of youth in health education allows them to develop relations with adults outside of their families, to improve their self-perceptions and to acquire a sense of responsibility and belonging within a social group. Examples from several countries are provided by the authors. What the authors call "classic" approaches to health promotion and education are also still used in many countries of Latin America and many of these programmes are concerned with sexual education and managing adolescent parenthood. Also, programmes using in approach specific to problems such as alcoholism, drug abuse, and violence have been developed in many countries. Finally, training programmes for health personnel focusing on the specific health needs of adolescents have been developed in Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, and Uruguay for a large range of health professionals (psychologists, social workers, etc.). In conclusion, the authors state that although there is an increasing number of health promotion actions for adolescents in Latin America, there is still much work to be done. One of the elements that is priority for managing the health of adolescents is the integral approach of the adolescent, considering the psychological, social, and environmental factors that influence his/her well-being. Multi-disciplinary and intersectoral approaches are also considered as important, as is the participation of adolescents in the development and implementation of actions concerning them.