97-04-10 Symposium on Adolescent Risky Behavior

OHIO STATE’S COLLEGE OF HUMAN ECOLOGY SYMPOSIUM
TARGETS SOLUTIONS TO RISKY BEHAVIORS OF ADOLESCENTS

     COLUMBUS -- Adolescents' risky behaviors endanger lives and 
health.  Parents, practitioners who work with youth, and policy 
makers are growing increasingly concerned over the loss of life 
and decrease in health caused by these behaviors.

     From May 7 to 10, the College of Human Ecology at The Ohio 
State University is presenting a symposium for experts around the 
country to share model programs, techniques, and strategies for 
decreasing the risky behaviors of adolescents.

     The symposium is called “Risky Behaviors of Adolescents: A 
Symposium Integrating Research, Practice, and Policy.”  It will 
include presentations on how “dangerous dress” can put teens at 
risk; new findings about how alcohol and drug use by adolescents 
in single-mother households differs according to race; and 
research showing that trauma in early childhood affects brain 
development and subsequent risky behaviors in adolescence.

     Denis Medeiros, associate dean for research at the college, 
states that this is the first national event to foster dialogue 
between researchers, practitioners, and those who develop and 
implement policy.  The symposium specifically targets five of the 
risky behaviors identified by the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention for reduction.  These behaviors include sexual 
behavior and pregnancy, HIV infection, violence, alcohol and drug 
abuse, and eating disorders.

     Some of the conference highlights include:

  Comparison of Caucasian and African-American Adolescents Drug 
and Alcohol Use in Single Mother Households.  Mike Farrell, 
University of Buffalo.  May 8, 1:10 to 1:50 p.m.
 
  Early Childhood Trauma and Effects upon Brain Development:  
Effects During Adolescence.  Bruce Perry, Baylor University.  
May 8, 1:50 to 2:30 p.m.
 
  Dangerous Dress Among Adolescents.  Gwen O’Neal, Ohio State.  
May 8, 3:40 to 4:20 p.m.

  Distorted Views: The Impact of Body Dysmorphic Disorder.  B.C 
Breseman and Nancy A. Rudd, Ohio State.  May 8, 4:20 to 4:35 
p.m.
 
  Designing Divergence Programs for Adolescents.  David Andrews, 
Ohio State.  May 9, 8:10 to 8:50 p.m.
 
  The Growing Up FAST Program: Families and Adolescents 
Surviving and Thriving.  Deborah Wasserman and Stephen 
Gavazzi, Ohio State.  May 9, 11:20 to 11:35 p.m.

     The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn on the Lane, 
328 W. Lane Ave.  Reporters are invited to attend these or any of 
the sessions during the conference.  Experts are also available 
to speak about the five main risky behaviors that will be 
discussed at the conference.  To arrange interviews, attend 
sessions, or to receive a full copy of the program, please 
contact Janet Ciccone, communications coordinator at the College 
of Human Ecology, (614) 292-5338, by May 5.

                             #

Contact: Janet Ciccone, (614) 292-5338.


[Submitted by: Von Vargas  (vargas.12@osu.edu)
               
Thu, 10 Apr 1997 10:43:19 -0400 (EDT)]
All documents are the responsibility of their originator.