Reducing the Teen Death Rate. KIDS COUNT Indicator Brief

Life continues to hold considerable risk for adolescents in the United States. In 2006, the teen death rate stood at 64 deaths per 100,000 teens (13,739 teens) (KIDS COUNT Data Center, 2009). Although it has declined by 4 percent since 2000, the rate of teen death in this country remains substantial...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAnnie E. Casey Foundation
Main Authors Shore, Rima, Shore, Barbara
Format Report
LanguageEnglish
Published Annie E 01.07.2009
Subjects
Accidents
Adolescents
Adults
Alcohol Abuse
Computation
Drug Use
Health Behavior
Homicide
Incidence
Mortality Rate
Motor Vehicles
Prevention
Risk
Risk Management
Safety
Sexuality
Suicide
United States
Well Being
Young Adults
United States
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Summary:Life continues to hold considerable risk for adolescents in the United States. In 2006, the teen death rate stood at 64 deaths per 100,000 teens (13,739 teens) (KIDS COUNT Data Center, 2009). Although it has declined by 4 percent since 2000, the rate of teen death in this country remains substantially higher than in many peer nations, based largely on higher rates for the three most prevalent causes of death among adolescents and young adults: motor vehicle accidents, homicide and suicide (Institute of Medicine, 2008). A range of risky behaviors contribute to teens' risk of injury and disease, including alcohol and drug use and risky sexual behaviors. To be sure, reducing the teen death rate will require strategies that make accidents and excess less likely. Complicating the challenge is a wide gap between the realities of teens and the perceptions of adults--who grossly underestimate adolescents' risk-taking behaviors (Action for Children North Carolina, 2006). Prevention efforts must tackle the key risk factors facing adolescents, while also supporting the important adults in teens' lives and addressing the underlying causes of this nation's high teen mortality rates. This "KIDS COUNT Indicator Brief" offers broad strategies that: (1) Focus intensively on motor vehicle safety; (2) Support policies and programs aimed at preventing teen violence; (3) Address teen suicide by bolstering the capacity of families and communities to recognize and treat teens in emotional distress; (4) Support adults who play significant roles in the lives of teens; (5) Strengthen the capacity of families and communities to support teens' healthy development; and (6) Strengthen understanding of the teen years. (Lists 9 online resources.)