Adolescent Health
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NACCHO has a long history of helping LHDs address adolescent mortality and morbidity. The goals of the program are to build NACCHO's capacity to address adolescent health needs and to enhance LHDs' ability to identify and meet the health needs of adolescents in their communities.
According to the CDC, 17.6 percent of adolescents ages 12–19 are overweight, more than triple what the proportion was in 1980. As a result of the increasing prevalence of adolescent obesity, adolescents are suffering from higher rates of numerous health conditions including high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, asthma, and type-2 diabetes. Local health departments can take an active role in preventing adolescent obesity in their communities through programs aimed at not only encouraging physical activity and healthy diets, but also creating opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy foods. More » The "Power of Healthy Choice Project" addresses the issues of improving student food choices, student nutrition and fitness education, and child overweight and obesity prevention by targeting high school students, faculty, and staff. The Delaware General Health District (DGHD), in partnership with the Delaware City School District, developed the "Power of Healthy Choice Project" to positively impact student food choices, student nutrition and fitness education and knowledge, and ultimately help in the prevention of child obesity. For more information about this and other successful programs, visit the Model Practices Web site. More » 
Given the importance and popularity of the Internet in youth culture, local health departments (LHD) have many opportunities to reach adolescents in new ways by using Internet technology. Developed by NACCHO’s Adolescent Health Project, this issue brief discusses the rising use of the Internet among adolescents; describes the Web sites that adolescents visit; and profiles initiatives that LHDs can and have used to educate and empower adolescents to make informed and responsible choices about their health and well-being. More »
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