Almost three quarters of adolescents in Australia experience clinically significant depression or anxiety symptoms, with most being chronic, according to a new study. And preventive strategies outside our clinics are urgently required to address this considerable public health problem facing the nation.

Novel research shows that a reduced neural response to receiving rewards in teens predicts the first onset of depression, but not anxiety or suicidality. This is independent of pre-existing depressive or anxiety symptoms, as well as age or sex, which are already strong risk factors for depression. The study is a step toward using brain science to understand and assess mental health risks.

Wearing a puffy coat while driving might seem like a good idea when it’s cold, but it can actually be unsafe. The bulky material keeps your seat belt from fitting properly against your body, which can make it less effective in protecting you during an accident. To stay safe and warm, try wearing layers of loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing in the car and add a hat, gloves, and a scarf. It’s also a good idea to keep a stash of cold-weather essentials in your car, like extra food and water, a flashlight, and blankets, to be prepared for emergencies.

The majority of children who started smoking tobacco at age 10 years or in their later teens continued to smoke until their mid-twenties. Continuous smoking from childhood significantly increased the risk of premature heart damage, a new study shows.

TikTok is taking steps to protect users’ mental health by restricting access to certain beauty filters for users under 18. Experts warn that these types of filters can damage self-esteem and lead to body image issues by promoting unrealistic or even impossible beauty standards. Many people think platforms like TikTok and Instagram should prioritize users’ mental health, and hope this move inspires other platforms to make similar changes to create healthier and more positive online spaces.

Teens who think their parents use cannabis are more likely to hold favorable attitudes toward the drug and to consider trying it themselves, according to a new study. The research also reveals that parental monitoring and the closeness of parent-child relationships play crucial roles in adolescents' views about cannabis, often with distinct effects based on the parent's gender.

Adolescents worldwide are spending an average of 8 to 10 hours per day engaging in sedentary activities such as watching television, using electronic devices, playing video games and riding in motorized vehicles, according to a multinational study.

The end of the year can be a tough time, with feelings of sadness or anxiety becoming more intense. While stress from school and the holidays may play a part, the colder, darker days of winter can also affect your mood. Whether you’re dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or just feeling down, there are some things you can do to feel better. Staying active is important—even something as simple as a quick walk can give you an energy and mood boost. Try to get outside during the daylight hours to soak up some natural light, which can help, too. Keeping a steady sleep schedule, making time for things you enjoy, and spending time with people you care about can make a big difference as well.

If you need someone to talk to, friends and family are one option. There are also many free, anonymous, and confidential helplines that provide support. You can find more ways to get help on our Hotlines page.

Research presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America found that vaping can harm blood vessel health and lower oxygen levels in the blood. Researchers discovered that people who vape have worse endothelial function, which is important for healthy blood flow, and lower oxygen levels compared to those who don’t vape. This suggests that vaping might be more dangerous for the heart and blood vessels than many people think. Scientists believe these findings suggest that regular vaping could increase the risk of vascular disease later in life. They also emphasize the need for more research on vaping’s long-term health effects.

Recent studies have raised concerns about the effects of eating too many ultra-processed foods (UPFs), especially for teens. Research from Italy, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, shows that a high intake of UPFs, like pre-packaged snacks, sugary drinks, fast food, and certain cereals, may speed up your body’s internal aging process. This means that your organs, tissues, and body systems could potentially be biologically older than your actual chronological age. Additionally, UPF packaging often includes plastic materials, which could expose consumers to additional toxic substances. Health officials say these findings highlight the importance of making healthier food choices when you’re young to protect your long-term health.

A recent study published in the BMJ Global Health Journal warns that unsafe music listening habits could put the hearing of over 1 billion teens and young adults at risk. Researchers found that many young people listen to their devices at volumes that could damage their hearing, while others are exposed to harmful noise levels at concerts, clubs, and theaters. This combination of risky practices can lead to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus, a constant ringing in the ears.

Without changing their listening habits, people may face permanent hearing damage. Reducing the volume on your devices and wearing ear protection at loud events are two simple steps you can take to help protect your hearing now and in the future.

Source: Nemours Foundation

Young people with severe obesity who underwent weight-loss surgery at age 19 or younger continued to see sustained weight loss and resolution of common obesity-related comorbidities 10 years later, according to results from a large clinical study.

A new study, using responses from the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, has found that about 6 percent of pregnant women reported using marijuana during the last month, and many did not associate it with health risks.

Using a national survey of 88,183 adolescents in grades nine to 12, findings show marijuana use declined from 23.1% in 2011 to 15.8% in 2021, with first-time use before age 13 dropping from 8.1% to 4.9%. In 2021, use was highest among 12th graders (22.4%) and 11th graders (18.7%). Notably, in 2021, girls (17.8%) surpassed boys (13.6%) in reported use, reversing previous trends. While Asian, Hispanic, and white adolescents saw significant declines, Black adolescents reported a higher usage rate of 20.5% in 2021, revealing ongoing racial disparities in marijuana use.

As cannabis is legalized and is more accessible in various forms across the country, there is increasing concern among health care providers about potential impact on children. Researchers have new findings to add to the existing evidence that cannabis exposure before birth can negatively impact children.

In Longmont, Colorado, middle and high school students are talking about what it’s like to have dyslexia. These student volunteers, known as YES Ambassadors (Youth Examples of Self-Advocacy), share their personal experiences and offer practical advice on how their peers with dyslexia can work with teachers, explain their needs, and ask for support. The YES group also hosts community events to give adults and educators a glimpse into life with dyslexia, and show students that learning disabilities don’t have to hold them back from exploring new opportunities.

It’s estimated that one in five students has a language-based learning disability, and groups like YES are empowering students to feel more comfortable asking for help. Lizzie Horton, a Silver Creek High School senior, joined YES in sixth grade because she didn’t want other students to struggle the way she did. “It’s not an easy thing, especially at a young age, to accept that this is a learning disability you have,” she told the Longmont Times-Call. “I can show them that it will be okay. It may not feel like it now, but I promise it will be okay.”

Source: Nemours Foundation

According to a recent CDC report, teen smoking and the use of other tobacco products in the U.S. have dropped to the lowest levels seen in 25 years. The report highlights a 20 percent decrease in tobacco use among middle and high school students from 2023 to 2024. This includes traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and hookahs. The number of youth using at least one tobacco product fell from 2.8 million to 2.25 million, marking a significant decline. Health officials suggest that public health initiatives, educational campaigns, and stricter enforcement against retailers and manufacturers selling products to young people likely played a role in this downward trend.

A new study found a strong association between handheld cellphone use and risky driving behaviors among newly licensed teen drivers. The study used a smartphone telematics application to track the driving habits of hundreds of teens and identify potential safety risks.