Helping Teens Navigate the Minefield of Adolescence

The teenage years can be a minefield of dangerous behaviors and unhealthy choices. Serious issues such as smoking, drug and alcohol use, unprotected sex, violence, depression, and suicide are likely to enter a teen's life even before graduating from high school.

Teens are at the beginning of the learning curve when it comes to making healthy choices, so now is a good time to educate them about how to manage their lives in a healthier way.

"Adolescents rarely see a physician, so it's not always possible for health care providers to identify risky behaviors," said Jennifer Cullen, project manager for Teen Choices and Challenges, a confidential Kaiser Permanente Web site for youths aged 13-19. "Teens are at the beginning of the learning curve when it comes to making healthy choices, so now is a good time to educate them about how to manage their lives in a healthier way."

Teen Choices and Challenges was first introduced about five years ago on a CD-ROM and was converted to a Web site in 2002. The site is being updated this month to a look and feel more consistent with Kaiser Permanente's Thrive campaign. Another new feature will allow any teen to use the Web site and receive a personalized health report without an access code.

The Web site contains a lengthy questionnaire that covers every aspect of a teen's health and lifestyle choices. Once the teen completes the questionnaire, he or she immediately receives a personalized, comprehensive health report that highlights risky behaviors and suggests healthier choices.

"The health report is designed to teach kids how to think about their health in the long-term," said Cullen. "It also reflects their motivation to change. If a teen says he does smoke but is thinking about quitting, the health report will offer pragmatic tips and helpful ideas about how to approach those behavior changes."

Kaiser Permanente offers Teen Choices and Challenges free to California middle schools and high schools. Students receive an access code that allows them to submit their answers online. The program is now available in about 100 schools.

While every teen's answers are confidential, each questionnaire generates a second report for counselors that summarizes behavioral risk areas. For example, the report might suggest that the teen would benefit from counseling in the area of nutrition or sexual behavior, but does not divulge specific answers. Cullen teaches school counselors how to read the reports and use them as a tool for discussing health risks with their students.

Nearly 3,000 teens have completed the online questionnaire. "We find that the kids really like it," said Cullen. "They think it's kind of cool to get out of class and use the computer in their counselor's office. The counselors and teachers like it, too, because it engages their students and encourages them to share sensitive information that could potentially save their lives."

To find out more, visit www.teenchoicesandchallenges.com