Investing in the Health and Well-Being of Young Adults (2015) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 19-34
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From page 19... ...
In contemporary American society, young adulthood is marked by great heterogeneity of transitional experiences, with considerable variability in the timing, sequencing, and content of social roles and tasks. The social expectations associated with young adulthood in the United States have changed markedly in recent decades.
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From page 20... ...
CONTEXT FOR THIS STUDY The committee's work is well situated in a rich intellectual and scientific tradition focused on understanding and studying the development of trajectories over the life course, as described below. In addition, several recent federal initiatives reflect a nascent effort to focus research and policy 2 See the 2010 New York Times Magazine cover asking, "What Is It About Twentysomethings?
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From page 21... ...
The following topics are of interest: • he demographic profile of young adults today and historical shifts over T time • Neurobiological development of young adults • ealth behaviors, including substance abuse, and relationship to later H outcomes • Health and well-being of vulnerable populations • Health and well-being of first-, second-, and third-generation immigrants • ell-being of young adults in public systems and institutions (e.g., mili W tary, justice, welfare, college/university) • pplication of public health practices, and access to and use of health A services • Shifting roles and responsibilities within the family unit • Labor force, economic, and civic engagement • Policies that foster young adult health and well-being • How young adults receive information and make decisions Based on currently available evidence, the report will include -- but will not necessarily be limited to -- consideration of the above topics.
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From page 22... ...
The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics released a special issue report on young adult data indicators in July 2014. This report provides data from nationally representative, feder ally sponsored surveys on young adults aged 18-24 in the following key areas: education; economic circumstances; family formation; civic, social, and personal behavior; and health and safety (Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, 2014)
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From page 23... ...
. The present report extends the MacArthur network's extensive body of work by incorporating a focus on health and well-being, connecting the study of young adulthood to recent advances in developmental neuroscience, incorporating research published since the network finished its work, and offering concrete policy and program recommendations.
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STUDY APPROACH This section explains the use of key terms in this report and provides some brief comments about how the committee approached its task. Chapter 2 offers a broader introduction to the report, including background information and key findings and their implications for policy and programs.
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From page 25... ...
. To differentiate adolescents from young adults for the 4 For example, the data sources used in the Healthy People 2020 core indicators for ado lescent and young adult health use the following age ranges for young adults: 18-24, 18-21, 22-24, 20-24, and 21-24 (HHS, 2012)
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From page 26... ...
But it also necessitates the use of system-level approaches to create and sustain the conditions needed for health and well-being, including strong families, supportive social networks, educational attainment, and productive employment. Health Care The term health care is used broadly in this report to include both physical and behavioral health.
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From page 27... ...
We believe social exclusion is a useful lens through which to view how policies contribute to or ameliorate the relatively poor outcomes experienced by the groups of young people on which we focus here. While marginalized young adults is the primary term used in this report, two other terms with related but distinct meanings are used in the context of young adults' educational attainment and employment.
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From page 28... ...
In selecting programs for particular attention within the report, the committee focused primarily on those that serve a large number of young adults and those that are most relevant to the critical tasks of young adulthood, such as completing education, finding and keeping a job, obtaining health care coverage, and learning to navigate the adult health system. Despite the abundance of programs that potentially impact young adults, specific information on young adults is frequently missing because they often are combined with adolescents in youth-focused programs and with older adults in adult-focused programs.
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From page 29... ...
While these topics are mentioned in the report, the committee was not well constituted to delve deeply into family policy, criminal justice administration, or immigration policy. Another area we chose not to address in depth is the highly specialized body of law, policies, and programs pertaining to young adults with severe developmental disabilities.
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From page 30... ...
Thus, from a policy standpoint, the report naturally emphasizes the need to provide the resources and supports that will enable the least advantaged young adults to accomplish successful transitions to independent and productive lives as adults. The transcendent goal is preserving opportunity for all young adults.
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At present, evidence in most areas is insufficient to permit firm recommendations. The most immediate tasks are to improve data and research and to make a concentrated effort to evaluate existing policies and programs at every level so as to achieve greater specificity and improve outcomes for young adults, while exploring new policies and programs.
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From page 32... ...
A review of literature. WHO Social Exclusion Knowledge Network Background Paper 1.
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From page 33... ...
Manila, Philippines: Office of Environment and Social Development, Asian Development Bank. Settersten, R
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Key Terms
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