El embarazo en la adolescencia es considerado como un riesgo para la salud materna e infantil, así como un factor que contribuye al desmesurado crecimiento de la población, a la deserción escolar, y a la perpetuación de la pobreza, al coartar las posibilidades de desarrollo familiar. Sus causas se atribuyen principalmente a la sexualidad precoz y a la falta de información y de acceso a los métodos anticonceptivos. Esta publicación pone en cuestión los supuestos antes mencionados, destacando dos factores realmente subyacentes a esta problemática: la pobreza y la desigualdad, que dejan pocas oportunidades alternativas de desarrollo a una gran cantidad de nuestros jóvenes, y la falta de una verdadera educación para el ejercicio de la sexualidad que les permita enfrentarse con responsabilidad a este aspecto tan central para su vida.

This comprehensive reference uses an ecological perspective to sort out the complex mix of biological, psychological, social, and other factors influencing adolescent health as well as shaping professional responses to the needs of adolescents. Describing critical concerns at the global level and innovative strategies from selected countries, the book urges readers to develop and support practices and policies to enhance optimal youth development. Expert coverage centers on key areas: the global state of adolescent health and development, adolescent health issues and public health answers, making health systems more responsive to youth, and improving school health services. And bedrock themes such as social determinants of health, young people’s right to health care, and health and gender disparities are discussed throughout these chapters. Included among the topics: • The epidemiology of adolescent health • Adolescent sexual health and sexuality education • Restorative justice and the mental wellbeing of adolescents • Critical issues in adolescent nutrition: needs and recommendations • Towards an adolescent competent workforce • Pairing children with health services: the changing role of school health services in the 21st century The International Handbook on Adolescent Health and Development is essential to medical schools, public schools, and college libraries; teaching faculty; graduate and post-graduate students in public health, medicine, social work, other behavioral sciences and health disciplines (e.g., nursing, allied heath); as well as practitioners interested in better orienting their services to the health needs of adolescents.

The 2002 edition of this quadrennial publication presents a regional analysis of the health situation and trends in the Americas region, as well as for each of the 47 countries and territories in the region. It is published in two volumes and covers mainly the years from 1997-2000. This edition focuses upon the inequalities in health. Volume One looks at issues dealing with leading health and health-related indicators, ranging from mortality and changes in life expectancy to the relationship between health and income distribution. It also considers current health conditions and trends including disease prevention and control, health promotion and environmental protection. Volume Two examines each country's overall health conditions, including institutional organisation, health regulations and the overall operation of health services.

2nd, revised and extended edition building on the success of the first edition The extended contents of this second edition reflect the growing spectrum of topics in pediatric and adolescent gynecology. Like its predecessor, this book addresses the most common gynecological problems encountered in childhood medicine, including endocrinological and surgical aspects. New chapters place particular emphasis on an update of technological aspects such as ultrasound, molecular genetics, surgery in sex disorders and new problems encountered in reproductive medicine. The book opens with a comprehensive description of the background of infant and adolescent gynecology and diagnostic tools. Several chapters are devoted to the various pathologies encountered in prepubertal and adolescent girls. Contemporary social issues such as sexual abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, contraception for teenagers and teenage pregnancy are also discussed in detail. Presenting a clear plan for clinical management and treatment of frequently encountered problems in prepubertal and adolescent girls, this book should be read by pediatricians, endocrinologists, gynecologists and family practitioners.

This book presents the legislative and policy environment for adolescent health in Latin America and the Caribbean and presents the results of the Adolescent health policy program that was complete by December 31, 1966.