Determinants of health of North-American adolescents: evolving definitions, recent findings, and proposed research agenda

Abstract

The recent literature on the determinants of adolescent health is reviewed. Four definitions of adolescent health are presented: successful transition to adulthood, successful coping, lack of mortality and morbidity, and healthy behaviors and risk avoidance. The review of determinants of health is presented within a framework focused upon adolescent characteristics, aspects of adolescents' immediate environments, and adolescents' ongoing activities and aspirations. An expanded framework which considers societal and structural factors and adolescent health is considered and a proposed research agenda presented.