Teen Health

Teenage years are exciting years. This is a time when teens:

• Become independent
• Test limits
• Become their own person
• Make more choices on their own

For these reasons, teens also face many pressures in their day to day lives, which can include:

• Stress
• Peer demands
• Sex
• Drug and alcohol use
• Smoking

The teenage years are a period of change between childhood and adulthood. The teen years involve:

• Rapid body growth
• Emotional ups and downs
• Peer pressure

These things can make this period challenging for families.

Teens need:

• Good health care
• A place to talk about their problems
• Truthful information

Alameda Alliance for Health Can Help
The Alliance can help teens and their families:

• Teens should pick a doctor they can go to for help with their physical and emotional health. The Alliance Provider Directory can help you to choose a doctor who's right for you.
• Teens can receive health screenings, health education, mental health care, support groups, and peer counseling. Through the Alliance, teens can get care for STD's, pregnancy, family planning and sexual assault. Teens do not need permission from parents to get help.
• Teens should get a yearly checkup with their doctor, even if they are feeling fine.

Call 510-747-4577 to learn more about teen related topics or how to parent your teen. All services are confidential.

Other Links:

National Health Information Center (Health Finder)
http://www.healthfinder.gov/

Resources for Teens
http://www.teen411.info