Pushing the Boundaries in Adolescent Health and Disease

Abstract

Much has been learned in the past several decades about basic adolescent development and adolescent conditions, but much remains to be determined about the effect of biopsychosocial and environmental influences on health and disease. This new series on adolescent health and disease is timely as we learn more and impart this information to our readers. The first article illustrates the complexity, both conceptual and practical, of the issues related to male reproductive health.1 Adolescence is the stage of development marking the transition between childhood and adulthood when rapid biological, cognitive, and behavioral changes occur. Genes, the brain, and the environment largely govern the ultimate expression of growth and maturity. The timing of the profound adolescent changes in biology and behavior is independent, even though biology moderates behavior and behavior moderates biology. We do not understand why puberty begins in any 1 … Address correspondence to Elizabeth R. McAnarney, MD, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, PO Box 777, Rochester, NY 14642. E-mail: elizabeth_mcanarney{at}urmc.rochester.edu