BodiMojo Blog

By Aseem Mehta

Teen life is filled with priorities, stresses and just general busyiness. From the expectations and rigor of school and homework, the drama of friends and relationships, and the increase in responsibilities that come with adolescence, teens have little time to think about things outside of their daily routine.

The rapid world of teenagers has created a startling, and unsafe trend; according to a recently released University of California study, “Most American teens don’t receive the appropriate amount of preventive health services, even though this type of care can establish good health behaviors and discourage damaging behaviors that can affect teens for the rest of their life.” The study found that only 38 percent of teens received preventative health care in the past years, and less than 10 percent received counseling, treatment or advice on preventative health issues, such as dental care, healthy eating, regular exercise, wearing a seat belt, wearing a bicycle helmet.

Teens seem to have become so preoccupied with activities, responsibilities and work that they lack the time or the consciousness to put “doctor’s visit” on their agenda.

And, with the current economic downturn and massive job losses, more and more Americans have lost not only their source of income, but their source of health insurance. Such a loss takes a toll on children, especially in regards to preventative care, where cash-strapped families feel that if there are no visible problems, there’s no need for a visit to the doctor.

Finally, and perhaps, worst of all, Americans, and teens especially, simply are not aware of the importance of preventative care – public health issues simply have not made their way to the vanguard of daily life for Americans – especially in a time when families have more pressing matters at hand.

But I think the importance of such care cannot be understated, as the care that such measures provide not only provide a check against any current health problems, but set a precedent for future health awareness for individuals. In this study, the lack of care was significantly more pronounced among lower income individuals, providing further proof of the inequities of the American health care system.

The simple truth is that preventative care for teens and students is imperative for future health and healthy habits. But a solution is not so simple. Turning the tide and making preventative care a mandate, not just an afterthought for American families will require cooperation in Congress, and a new public awareness campaign. Families and students alike should understand the imperative of their health, and the government should step in to make healthcare accessible to those without the means to finance it on their own. If anything, this troubling data tells us that somewhere on a teenager’s schedule needs to be a doctor’s visit – not just for now, but for the future.

For now, the short-term Rx is: if you’re a teen and you haven’t been to the doctor lately, maybe it’s time for a visit.

– Aseem Mehta is a high school junior who is interested in studying about public health and economics. In his spare time he loves to discuss (and debate) politics and current events, and of course, sleep.