Syndemics of Adolescent Health

Theory

There are several social theories that attempt to explain health risks for defined demographics, such as adolescents. Socioeconomic theory suggests a lower status for an individual increases the risk of morbidity and mortality (Ward, Meyer, Verity, Gill, and Luong, 2011). In contrast to a focus on the individual, social quality theory suggests that social inclusion and empowerment lowers health risks. Syndemic theory, on the other hand, proposes that the morbidity and mortality of a defined demographic is determined by both social and economic factors (reviewed by Bruce, Harper, and AMTNHAI). To assess the value of socioeconomic and social factors in determining the health of adolescents, a study examining syndemic factors in adolescent gay males will be analyzed.

A Case Study in Syndemic Theory

A recent study investigated the syndemic of tobacco use in adolescent and young adult homosexual men in New York City (Storholm, Halkitis,...
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