Teen life is filled with priorities, stresses and just general busyness. From the expectations and rigor of school and homework to the drama of friends and relationships to 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: a University of California study reported in April 2009 that “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 preventive health care in the previous year, and less than 10 percent received counseling, treatment or advice on preventive health issues such as dental care, healthy eating, regular exercise, wearing a seat belt, and 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 preventive care. Cash-strapped families may 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 preventive 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 overstated. It provides a check against current health problems and sets a precedent for individuals' future health awareness. In the University of California 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 preventive 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 preventive 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 there 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.
Teens as a whole do not see their physicians often enough to receive routine care and safety messages that are incredibly important for that age group.
