[Adolescent mortality in the city of Rio de Janeiro from 1981 to 1995: how many deaths could be prevented?] / Mortalidade de adolescentes no município do Rio de Janeiro, de 1981 a 1995 - quantos óbitos poderiam ser evitados?

OBJECTIVE: This paper examines the main causes of mortality among adolescents ages 10 to 19 in the city of Rio de Janeiro with a focus on mortality prevention. METHODS: Mortality data from 1981 to 1995 were taken from the Mortality Information System of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Age and sex specific mortality rates were calculated for the main causes of death covering three discrete time periods (1981-85, 1986-90 and 1991-95). RESULTS: Rates of homicides and fatal injuries by firearms have increased for adolescents of both sexes during the period studied. Among adolescent males the increase was from 46.5 /100,000 (between 1981 and 1985) to 105.8/100,000 (1991- 1995). Among adolescent females, mortality rates attributable to the same external causes presented a growth from 3.1/100,000 (1981-1985) to 7.8/ 100,000 (1991-1995). Geographic analysis indicates that the harbor area of the city and vicinities reflect higher indices of firearmsrelated deaths. For the same time period, non-external causes of death declined. Malignant neoplasias and pneumonia, the most frequent non-external causes of death, are decreasing. The rates of complications involving immune deficiencies have increased from nonexistent to 1.2 /100,000 during the last period (1991-1995) studied. CONCLUSION: The main causes of deaths among adolescents in the city of Rio de Janeiro are preventable. We propose that health professionals be attentive to this fact to prevent unnecessary deaths through health promotion.

[Occupational risks in childhood and adolescence: a review]. / Riscos ocupacionais na infância e na adolescência: uma revisão.

The authors present a brief bibliographic review of the health risks to which children and youth are often exposed in the workplace. The concern regarding these risk factors is justified based on the fact that children and youth comprise a large portion of the work force and begin working at early ages. At the same time these children and youth are undergoing profound biological, psychological and social changes and therefore are susceptible to occupational illnesses. With this in mind, the article seeks to alert health professionals regarding possible occupational health risks to children and youth in the workplace.

Modelo de atencao integral a saude do adolescente: Projeto MAISA II - Unidade Clinica de Adolescentes - UERJ / Model of integral attention to Realth of the adolescent: Project MAISA II - Unit clinic of adolescents - UERJ

A Unidade Clinica de Adolescentes da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, atraves do Projeto Modelo de Atencao Integral a Saude do Adolescente (Projeto MAISA II), apoiado pela Fundacao W.K.Kellogg, vem desenvolvendo uma experiencia de integracao das unidades de servico de saude nas comunidades proximas ao Campus Universitario. Para tal, vem se articulando com escolas do1o. e 2o. Graus, empresas, com o Camp vila Isabel, do Programa de Patrulheirismo; com algumas instituicoes de saude e organizacoes comunitarias. Este artigo traz os primeiros resultados deste projeto, demonstrando a importancia de se garantir a populacao adolescente, formas resolutivas e desburocratizadas na atencao a sua saude .