By David Bennett, Susan Towns, Elizabeth Elliott and Joav Merrick, Nova Publisher

Challenges in adolescent health: An Australian Perspective reports on contemporary developments in adolescent health. From relatively humble beginnings in a handful of hospital-based services, an energetic and increasingly well connected group of health professionals has emerged. New initiatives are emerging in the areas of service delivery, research and training as well as in the development of professional organisations and networks.

The health and wellbeing of our young people is critical to the health and wellbeing of our society and of our future, but in an era of exciting scientific discovery and major advances in medical care, the health of our young people is far worse than most people appreciate. There is an epidemic of chronic health issues such as obesity and diabetes, physical activity is declining and as a result cardiovascular disease and stroke are no longer diseases of the old and infirm. Risk behaviours such as drug and alcohol abuse are increasingly common in teenagers and young people are taking more risks on the road, with an increase in deaths due to road accidents and more risks in their sexual behaviour, as evidenced by an increase in sexually transmitted disease. Psychosocial distress and youth suicide levels remain unacceptably high, particularly in isolated rural communities. This book developed and edited by four leading physicians in child health and human development will touch on some of these topics.

For details on how to get a copy, visit the publisher's website at http://is.gd/4YmeI.