U.S. Teens in Our World. Understanding the Health of U.S. Youth in Comparison to Youth in Other Countries. Executive Summary

摘要

The international Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) study has coordinated comparable, nationally representative school-based surveys of teens every four years since 1985-86. The overarching goal of the HBSC study is to understand adolescent health and health-related behavior in the context of family, school, and peers, using international comparisons to demonstrate common factors and highlight differences associated with cultural influences. These international comparisons show health-related characteristics that are common to adolescents at specific developmental stages regardless of nationality. Individual differences between countries highlight the health attributes and behaviors that suggest more local cultural, environmental, or socio-demographic influences. The United States participated in the HBSC study for the first time in 1998 in order to improve adolescent health through programs and research targeted to provide appropriate health-related services.