The AMA believes that the most significant contemporary threats to adolescent health are rooted in social causes and behavior rather than in diseases that are amenable to medical cures. The AMA therefore contends that the focus of adolescent health should be on general preventive measures that promote a healthy transition into adolescence, given the incidence of substance abuse, pregnancy, victimization, psychological disorders, suicide, and injury and trauma experienced by this age group. Adolescent health program and project implementation should focus on primary and secondary prevention. Primary prevention should consider generic topics, such as self-esteem, decisionmaking, assertiveness, communication, and coping behavior. Secondary prevention should be directed at youth who are at risk for categorical problems targeted by the AMA, such as substance abuse, eating disorders, unintended pregnancy, suicide, sexual abuse, and drunk driving. Sources of information and resources to assist in establishing adolescent health programs are listed.