Addressing Risk Behaviors

Addressing Behavioral Risk Factors: Smoking Among Adolescents

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Introduction

Behavioral risk factor intervention is quite a challenging task because it involves addressing multiple issues which facilitate risky behaviors (Kovner and Knickman, 2011). In fact, implementing interventions on a societal scale is quite difficult because social, cultural, and physical environment hinder against change. Nevertheless, behavioral risk factor interventions can be devised and implemented in innovative ways to ensure successful outcomes. The objective of this essay is to discuss cigarette smoking among adolescents and how it is affecting our community, and also to present interventions for each stage of the Population Based Intervention Model.

Cigarette Smoking Among Adolescents

Research studies indicate that 90% of smokers in my community began smoking under the age of 18. Over 25% of all teenagers in my community smoke a cigarette before graduating from high school (CDC, 2013). These statistics have actually increased in recent years since more and more adolescents are engaging in cigarette smoking. Subsequently, this smoking pattern has negatively impacted my community since there are numerous cases of illnesses related to cigarette smoking. Lung cancer, throat cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are all causing many numerous deaths and costing tax payers a lot of money which can be direct at more constructive agendas. Since most smokers begin smoking at earlier ages, smoking related illnesses are becoming more prevalent among younger adults with some being as young as 30 years (CDC, 2013). Consequently, there need to be competent behavioral risk interventions implemented in our community to reduce the number of adolescent smokers and also to discourage the behavior in an effective manner.

Upstream Intervention

Upstream interventions are critical for reducing cigarette smoking among adolescents. Nevertheless, in upstream...