In book 1 of this 3-part series, we are pleased to present an extensive collection of adolescent health articles that address the diverse needs of the adolescent and young adult population as it relates to preventative health. Through a wide variety of research, we have come to a greater, more informed understanding of the vast needs of this dynamic phase of human life. Here we present the most salient of recent publications that aim to describe and address the current issues that affect the health and well-being of children in this important step of their development. Available for purchase at https://shop.aap.org/pediatric-collections-adolescent-health-care-part-1-promoting-wellness-paperback/
The Teen Driver
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Published:June 2023
Elizabeth M. Alderman, MD, FAAP, FSAHM, Brian D. Johnston, MD, MPH, FAAP, COMMITTEE ON ADOLESCENCE, COUNCIL ON INJURY, VIOLENCE, AND POISON PREVENTION, 2023. "The Teen Driver", Pediatric Collections: Adolescent Health Care Part 1: Promoting Wellness, American Academy of Pediatrics
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For many teenagers, obtaining a driver’s license is a rite of passage, conferring the ability to independently travel to school, work, or social events. However, immaturity, inexperience, and risky behavior put newly licensed teen drivers at risk. Motor vehicle crashes are the most common cause of mortality and injury for adolescents and young adults in developed countries. Teen drivers (15–19 years of age) have the highest rate of motor vehicle crashes among all age groups in the United States and contribute disproportionately to traffic fatalities. In addition to the deaths of teen drivers, more than half of 8- to 17-year-old children who die in car crashes are killed as passengers of drivers younger than 20 years of age. This policy statement, in which we update the previous 2006 iteration of this policy statement, is used to reflect new research on the risks faced by teen drivers and offer advice for pediatricians counseling teen drivers and their families.
