Teenage Health Care

At the outset, the authors make it clear that theirs is not a medical text or an encyclopedia to be used when an adolescent encounters a medical crisis. Rather, much of the focus here is on promoting good health habits and understanding the special problems-physical and mental-faced by teenagers, while offering a springboard for discussion between parents and their offspring. Initially, Slap and Jablow survey how many of the issues of adolescence have changed since parents themselves were teenagers (increased violence, suicide and sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS). Then they describe bodily systems and what can go wrong with them in easily understood language. Without preaching, they also discuss other matters affecting teens: eating disorders, sexual promiscuity, sexual abuse, alcohol and drug use, contraception, pregnancy. Because the authors have chosen not to sermonize, teenagers will probably find the book appealing. Also included is an extensive list of resources and a glossary. (Sept.)