Who hasn’t shaken their head and muttered something like “those kids today, what are they thinking?” Whether it was Aristotle, Socrates or Plato who wrote about youth with bad manners and no respect for their elders (no one seems to know), the sentiment has been around a long time.

Let me share some good news with you.

Teen smoking, drinking, use of illicit drugs and sexual activity are all down compared to the 1980s.

More than half of girls ages 13 through 17 in 23 states have received one or more doses of HPV vaccine despite the absence of state mandates.  New vaccination recommendations include boys.

Childhood obesity continues to be a problem for the nation's children. Hispanic boys and African-American girls are disproportionately affected. States are trying a variety of programs to reduce the growth of childhood obesity. 

Emergency room visits for concussions in organized youth sports have increased dramatically. States have adopted various state laws to remove youth suffering head injuries from athletic games and not return until approved by a medical professional.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends six strategies to reduce the spread of HIV and STD's. Only one of 32 rural states has all six policies in place and less than one-third have four or more of the six recommended policies in place. 

Increased concern about the prevalence of sports-related brain injuries has led lawmakers to consider new ways of protecting student-athletes.

This Act limits the liability of school districts for injuries suffered by youth who participate in youth programs on school property. The Act directs school districts to work with the state interscholastic activities association to develop guidelines and inform coaches, athletes, and parents about the dangers of concussions and head injuries. The bill requires youth athletes and their parents or guardians sign a concussion and head injury information sheet for the athlete to be eligible to play in a program using school facilities.

This Act requires school districts ensure coaches get annual training to recognize when players exhibit concussion symptoms and how to seek proper medical treatment for players who exhibit such symptoms. The bill prohibits coaches from allowing players to practice or play in a game if the player exhibits concussion symptoms or has been diagnosed as having had a concussion until the player is cleared to play by a health care professional.