Adolescent risk-taking

Adolescence and young adulthood are often times when risks are taken. Activities such as not wearing bicycle or motorcycle helmets and seatbelts, drink-driving, substance abuse, unprotected sexual intercourse, physical violence, depression and suicide all have the potential to impact negatively on the health of young people and cause loss, concern and costs at all levels of society. A survey of 471 young people attending schools in the North Health region was undertaken in 1995. It aimed to identify important health issues for young people and their perceptions of and involvement in risk-taking behaviour. This Fact Sheet is based on the results of that survey. The complete study can be found at rec # 6411.