RESUMEN
In Latin America and the Caribbean, adolescents-persons between the ages of 10 and 19- now comprise 21 percent of the total population, or more than 100 million individuals. And while mortality rates among those adolescents are low in comparison with other age groups, there is much that can and should be done to lower death rates and improve health among these young people. Among adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean, more deaths result from external causes-including accidents, homicides, and suicides- than from infectious diseases, circulatory diseases, and cancer combined. Vehicular deaths are the most common cause of accidental death, and the number has risen as the use of motor vehicles has become more common. Violence is also a growing problem. In the Region of the Americas, more than a quarter of the deaths due to homicide occur among adolescents. Many young people must also deal with forms of violence, including neglect and sexual and emotional abuse. Other adolescent health problems come from the use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, as well as poor nutrition and lack of physical activity. High levels of early and unprotected sexual activity lead to infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancies, and early motherhood. Worsening that situation are the difficulties that adolescents have in accessing reproductive health services in many countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (AU)