Author: Susan Wile Schwarz

Juvenile Justice in the U.S.: Facts for Policymakers

  • Post author ,
  • Project  Improving the Odds for Adolescents; 
  • Publication Type  Fact Sheet 
  • Post date July 1, 2011

Learn about our Improving the Odds for Adolescents project. Recent research shows that the human brain continues to develop throughout adolescence, with the pre-frontal cortex – the section of the brain responsible for executive function and complex reasoning – not fully developing until the mid-twenties. 1Because adolescents’ brains are not fully matured, their decision-making and […]

Improving the Odds for Adolescents: State Policies that Support Adolescent Health and Well-being

  • Post author ,
  • Project  Improving the Odds for Adolescents; 
  • Publication Type  Report 
  • Post date July 1, 2011

Learn about our Improving the Odds for Adolescents project. Executive Summary For policymakers, adolescence presents an invaluable opportunity to ensure that all young people can access the high-quality services and supports they need to improve their odds of becoming successful, healthy, productive adults. At an historic moment when the provisions and breadth of health care […]

Adolescent Substance Use in the U.S.: Facts for Policymakers

  • Post author , ,
  • Project  Improving the Odds for Adolescents; 
  • Publication Type  Fact Sheet 
  • Post date May 1, 2011

Learn about our Improving the Odds for Adolescents project. Adolescence is an important period of physical, social, psychological, and cognitive growth. No longer children and not yet adults, adolescents make significant choices about their health and develop attitudes and health behaviors that continue into adulthood. Substance use disorders among adolescents can impede the attainment of […]

A Profile of Disconnected Young Adults in 2010

  • Post author , , , ,
  • Project  Improving the Odds for Adolescents; 
  • Publication Type  Report 
  • Post date December 1, 2010

Learn about our Improving the Odds for Adolescents project. This is an excerpt from the full report. Introduction The purpose of this report is to highlight a growing segment of the population who are arriving at young adulthood disconnected from the main pathways leading to economic independence. Arriving at young adulthood in a state of […]

Adolescent Obesity in the United States: Facts for Policymakers

  • Post author ,
  • Project  Improving the Odds for Adolescents; 
  • Publication Type  Fact Sheet 
  • Post date November 1, 2010

Learn about our Improving the Odds for Adolescents project. Adolescent obesity in the United States has many important implications for both the health and well-being of the individual and society. Specific negative impacts of obesity on health include increased susceptibility to a host of diseases, chronic health disorders, psychological disorders, and premature death, which in […]

Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health: Facts for Policymakers

  • Post author
  • Project  Improving the Odds for Adolescents; 
  • Publication Type  Fact Sheet 
  • Post date April 1, 2010

Learn about our Improving the Odds for Adolescents project. The reproductive and sexual health needs of adolescents differ from those of adults. During adolescence, the body undergoes significant developmental changes, most notably puberty, the bodily changes of sexual maturation, and the formation of sexual identity. Achieving reproductive and sexual health requires more than preventing unwanted […]

Adolescent Violence and Unintentional Injury in the United States: Facts for Policymakers

  • Post author
  • Project  Improving the Odds for Adolescents; 
  • Publication Type  Fact Sheet 
  • Post date October 1, 2009

Learn about our Improving the Odds for Adolescents project. Vulnerable Teens Overall rates of injury and death increase dramatically from childhood to late adolescence. Due to developmental and social factors, such as time spent without adult supervision and increasing independence, adolescents are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors than either younger children or adults. […]

Adolescent Mental Health in the United States: Facts for Policymakers

  • Post author
  • Project  Improving the Odds for Adolescents; 
  • Publication Type  Fact Sheet 
  • Post date June 1, 2009

Learn about our Improving the Odds for Adolescents project. Vulnerable Teens Adolescence is a critical period for mental, social, and emotional wellbeing and development. During adolescence, the brain undergoes significant developmental changes, establishing neural pathways and behavior patterns that will last into adulthood. 1 Because their brains are still developing, adolescents are particularly receptive to […]