Adolescent infectious disease challenges.

The 20th century brought incredible changes throughout the world and one of the most far-reaching results has been in the arena of public health, which, according to the CDC, means that people now live an average of 30 years longer. Despite these achievements, there are other diseases and health problems to handle. The expansion of world travel has led to increased chances for acquiring rare or exotic diseases. The shrinking world also means that people from other countries arriving in the U.S. bring the risk of new and re-emerging strains of old pathogens and other health problems. The ease of accessibility of antibacterial products means that their overuse and misuse continues to add to the ever-growing problem of drug-resistant bacteria. Gaps in adolescent immunization schedules and adolescent risk-taking behaviors are still at alarming levels. Large percentages of adolescents are either underinsured or uninsured, leading to delays in receiving effective and complete health care. Physicians have the chance to influence adolescent behaviors, and play and important role in helping to reduce these risks through informed decision making for these adolescents.