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Linda Halcón, PhD, MPH, Robert W. Blum, MD, PhD, Trish Beuhring, PhD, Ernest Pate, MD, Sheila Campbell-Forrester, MD, MPH and Anneke Venema, MD

Linda Halcón is with the School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Robert Blum and Trish Beuhring are with the Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Ernest Pate is with the Department of Family Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC. Sheila Campbell-Forrester is with the Ministry of Health, Montego Bay, Jamaica. Anneke Venema is with the Department of Family Health, Pan American Health Organization, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Linda L. Halcón, PhD, MPH, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 6–101 Weaver-Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (e-mail halco001{at}umn.edu).

Objectives. This study assessed youth health in the Caribbean Community and Common Market countries and describes the prevalence of health-related factors.

Methods. We used a self-administered classroom questionnaire; questions addressed general health, health care, nutrition, sexual history, drug use, mental health, violence, family characteristics, and relationships with others.

Results. Most youths reported good health; however, 1 in 10 reported a limiting disability or significant health problems. Violence was a pervasive concern. Of those who reported history of sexual intercourse, many reported that their first intercourse was forced, and nearly half reported that they were aged 10 years or younger when they first had intercourse.

Conclusions. Although most young people are healthy, problems indicate the importance of monitoring trends and designing effective youth health programs.

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