SAHM Position & Statement Papers
Preventing and treating adolescent obesity: A position paper of the Society for Adolescent Medicine
The high prevalence of obesity in adolescence is a serious public health concern. Longitudinal studies confirm that health consequences of obesity during adolescence track into adulthood, but that these consequences are reduced by successfully decreasing body fat among obese adolescents.Adolescent immunizations: A position paper of the Society for Adolescent Medicine
New vaccines are being targeted to help protect the adolescent population from disease. The Society for Adolescent Medicine strongly urges compliance with adolescent vaccination recommendations provided by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. These vaccines will significantly impact the health and well-being of the adolescent population. To enhance vaccination compliance and access to prevention health care and promotion, the Society supports linking vaccination to the three distinct comprehensive preventive health care visits already recommended by multiple organizations during early, middle, and late adolescence.Suicidality in adolescents being treated with antidepressant medications and the black box label: Position paper of the Society for Adolescent Medicine
Recent attention has focused on the use of antidepressant medications in the treatment of depression in children and adolescents. The United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required manufacturers to include a “black box” warning label on antidepressants that alerts health care providers and consumers to an increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents being treated with these medications (FDA Public Health Advisory: Suicidality in Children and Adolescents Being Treated with Antidepressant Medications.Health and health needs of homeless and runaway youth: A position paper of the Society for Adolescent Medicine
The experience of runaway and homeless youth in the United States is not entirely unique and should be viewed in an international context. The youth in this country do have some unique characteristics and needs. Homeless youth in affluent societies such as ours are often on the streets for different reasons than those of their counterparts in developing countries. Nonetheless, life on the streets brings with it hazards for all homeless young people. Homeless youth are at risk for a number of serious physical and mental health problems, some resulting in pain and discomfort, others in disability and death.
