Developing healthy kids in healthy communities: eight evidence-based strategies for preventing high-risk behaviour.
Australian youth engage in behaviour that threatens their health and wellbeing. National surveys report that about a third of young Australians have tried an illicit drug. High rates of substance use and risky sexual behaviour among young Australians suggest that effective prevention efforts based on empirical evidence need to be expanded. Church-associated organisations are an untapped resource that could be used to improve the health and welfare of young people. We describe eight evidence-based elements to consider in designing strategies to prevent high-risk behaviour in young people.
Hopkins
Gary L
GL
Institute for Prevention of Addictions, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA. ghopkins@sandpoint.net
McBride
Duane
D
Marshak
Helen H
HH
Freier
Kiti
K
Stevens
John V
JV
Kannenberg
Wendi
W
Weaver
James B
JB
Sargent Weaver
Stephanie L
SL
Landless
Peter N
PN
Duffy
Jonathan
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001315:Australia; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D012648:Self Care; D012649:Self Concept; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D029181:Spirituality; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control