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Patrick Remington, MD, MPH; Robert Anda, MD, MS; James Marks, MD, MPH
Centers for Disease Control Atlanta

JAMA. 1988;259(1):44-45.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.

—We are writing to respond to the article by Blum¹ entitled "Contemporary Threats to Adolescent Health in the United States" that appeared in the June 26 issue of JAMA. Dr Blum's article provides a comprehensive perspective on the health problems that today's teenagers face in our society. Problems such as injuries, violence, and teenage pregnancies are immediate and compelling concerns for physicians who care for adolescents. Although Dr Blum mentions tobacco and alcohol abuse, other significant threats to the future cardiovascular health of adolescents, such as obesity, physical inactivity, elevated blood cholesterol level, and high blood pressure, are not discussed.

The life-styles and health habits that influence the major modifiable risk factors for adult cardiovascular disease are adopted during early childhood and adolescence.² Unfortunately, efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease usually are delayed until these behaviors are firmly established in adult life. The resulting emphasis on . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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