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 Youth developmental assets program (in 39 school districts and Mescalero Apache Tribal School) helps youths make contributions to their peers and the community. Statewide Youth Advisory Councils engage youth in communities for healthier lifestyle choices. A statewide Abstinence Only program and a statewide family planning program seek to reduce the teen pregnancy rate.
Media and community programs to help parents guide their children regarding drug use and sex. Increase youth participation in health program planning. Increase reproductive services to adolescents through healthcare providers and community organizations. Implement peer mentoring programs. Provide primary care services for eligible children with no other available payment source. Monitor the impact of sexual abstinence programs. Increase assets/protective factors for children. Identify primary healthcare and mental health/substance abuse services that could be supported by Medicaid in the Schools (MITS) funds. Ensure that youth have access to mentoring by responsible, caring adults.
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 The formula for success in youth programs: Involve youth in the programs that serve them. Who are they? In 1997-98, 30% of New Mexican children 17 years old or younger lived below the federal poverty level. About 21% had no health insurance, compared to 15% nationally.(1) Over half of our young people (age 10 to 24) belong to ethnic groups (Hispanic, Native American or African American) that have been disadvantaged economically. Ways to understand health and development of youth. From age 10-24, health is linked to the success with which youth and young adults accomplish the “developmental tasks” of these years. Young people face changes in their bodies and the need to become independent and make their own decisions. They must understand and manage their sexual feelings; change their relationships with parents; deepen friendships; and focus ambitions on the future. To succeed in school and be healthy, they need to get along with their peers and abide by rules.(2) These are potentially very healthy years. However, youth often begin behaviors that may have lasting ill effects on their physical or mental health. These may even lead to disability or early death.
Mortality. Unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide are the leading causes of death for young people, age 10-24. Over half the deaths at these ages are from motor vehicle crashes, and a third of those involve alcohol.(3) Social supports and health behaviors. Youth search their social environment for clues on how to accomplish their developmental tasks. Peers, family members, neighbors, mentors, school staff, community members and media programs all become examples to follow or to reject. Growing up in poverty increases the risk of getting involved in unhealthy or dangerous behaviors. However, healthy and supportive relationships with family, school and respected community members can outweigh the disadvantages. Risk-taking behaviors. Fourth grade is not too soon for intensive, school-wide efforts to prevent use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs or early sex. Preteens are easily swayed by messages or role models that make these behaviors look good, even though the long-term consequences may be grim.(4) A 1997 New Mexico school survey found that the greatest increase in use of tobacco, alcohol and/or drugs occurred during the 7th, 8th and 9th grades(5) (Figure 1.) Among high school youth, seriously unsafe or unhealthy behaviors are not unusual.(6) For example, 71% drink; over half smoke cigarettes; and nearly one in four has driven a vehicle after drinking. Early sex has significant risks. By high school graduation nearly 60% of teens have had sex.(7) The rates of sexually transmitted diseases among New Mexico’s teens are among the highest in the nation.(8) Our rate of teen pregnancy is also high: 54.8 per 1000 girls age 15-17, compared to the Healthy People 2010 goal of 45 per 1000.(9) Most births to teens are unintended, and they often lead to continued family disadvantage. The good news is that as of 1999, the percentage of teens having sex seems to be decreasing, and that more of the teens who do have sex are using condoms.(10) Resiliency and positive life experiences. Youth who feel connected to family and to school, and who have a positive sense of themselves, have a lower rate of serious risk-taking behaviors than teens without these advantages.(11)
Individual teens, and their communities, seem to be better off in many ways if they have certain “assets” in their lives. Examples of assets include such things as supportive relationships; role models; rules and expectations set by family, school and peers; positive ways of using their time; and commitment to learning. Two-thirds of New Mexico youth in grades 6-12 have fewer than 20 of the 40 different assets that were measured. Having fewer assets generally goes along with higher rates of serious risk behaviors (Figure 2). Communities may be able to use these data to see how their youth are doing and what could be done to help them.(12) Access to healthcare to reduce teen health problems. Easy access to healthcare providers who work effectively with youth can make a difference. There are 38 School-Based Health Centers in elementary, middle and high schools throughout New Mexico. These clinics are open during the school day for part of the week. In 1998-99 they served over eight thousand students (for an average of between two and three visits each). These students might otherwise have no health care at all. Most of the twenty-one thousand visits to these health centers (61%) were for primary care. One in five visits was for family planning or sexually transmitted disease; one in six (16%) was for mental health reasons. The rest were for injuries or dental problems. Other programs. Statewide Youth Development Advisory Councils (YDAC). The 20 members of the YDAC advise local and state governments on policy matters that affect youth. They offer local youth groups training to help them promote health and reduce serious health risk behaviors.(13) “Mission Possible”. A statewide program with federal funding (“Abstinence Only”) is working to offer youth the chance for individual and community change. The program in 12 communities, aimed at youth through the high school years, promotes sexual abstinence as a positive lifestyle choice.     If you need help or know someone who needs help because of child abuse:
New Mexico Poison Control:
Children’s Medical Services:
New Mexico Department of Health, Public Health Division
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