[The epidemiologic transition of the adolescents in Mexico].
OBJECTIVE
To identify the health status of adolescents in Mexico in their demographic, social and economic context.


METHODS
A literature search and review of vital statistics, and opinion surveys were performed in order to asses the impact of the epidemiologic transition on the availability and priority of health services for adolescents. The Omran epidemiologic model was used to classify the demographic, social and economic characteristics of Mexican adolescents in efforts to define their impact on the epidemiologic transition of this age group.


RESULTS
Demographic data are presented in the perspective of the epidemiologic transition which permit us to make inferences on the social conditions, growth patterns and health needs of this age group in Mexico. Data are presented regarding the demand and availability of health services, the impact of education and employment opportunities and the role of family and the economy on their well being. Other important aspects presented include the role of education on the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and the threat of the AIDS pandemic in this age group.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings reveal a sequence of variables that can no longer be addressed in the traditional problem oriented approach and strongly suggest a need to profile the health needs of adolescents in an integrated, holistic fashion with emphasis in health promotion and healthy life styles to favor their integral, just and equitable development, and also help focus the societal response in an integrated manner.
Santos-Preciado
José Ignacio
JI
Centro Nacional para la Salud de la Infancia y Adolescencia, Secretaría de Salud, México, Francisco P Miranda No 177.06100 Col. Merced Gómez, México, D.F., México. jisantos@supernet.com.mx
Villa-Barragán
Juan Pablo
JP
García-Avilés
Martha Angélica
MA
León-Alvarez
Graciela
G
Quezada-Bolaños
Sonia
S
Tapia-Conyer
Roberto
R
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D019456:Health Transition; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors