Health-related quality of life and behaviors risky to health among adults aged 18-24 years in secondary or higher education--United States, 2003-2005.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the demographic characteristics and behaviors risky to health contributing to health-related quality of life (HRQOL), defined as the perceived physical or mental health over time.


METHODS
Information on students aged 18-24 years from the aggregated Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey (BRFSS) 2003, 2004, and 2005 data for the 50 states and District of Columbia was studied. Selected HRQOL measures, health care access, behaviors risky to health (i.e., leisure-time physical activity or exercise, cigarette smoking, binge drinking, and indicators of risky sex behaviors), and selected health conditions were analyzed.


RESULTS
Overall, students aged 18-24 years reported more mentally unhealthy days than physically unhealthy days. Compared with students in secondary education, younger graduate students reported better mental health, self-rated health, and fewer behaviors risky to health. Regardless of educational level, reported physically or mentally unhealthy days differed by selected demographic characteristics, health care access, behaviors risky to health, and health conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Behaviors risky to health and their associations with mental health should be recognized and addressed in any health prevention or intervention program for student populations. Public health professionals should promote evidence-based health promotion programs to prevent young adults from initiating risky behaviors, continue to promote risk-reduction and cessation skills to those engaged in these behaviors, and incorporate mental health promotion into risk-reduction intervention programs.
Zahran
Hatice S
HS
Health Care and Aging Studies Branch, Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30345, USA. hbz4@cdc.gov
Zack
Matthew M
MM
Vernon-Smiley
Mary E
ME
Hertz
Marci F
MF
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D014481:United States