Is+Generation+Y+diminishing+their+health+due+to+their+'normal'+risk+taking+behaviours?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy7PUhvWSYE&feature=fvst

media type="youtube" key="Cy7PUhvWSYE" height="315" width="420"

**Topic**
How Healthy is Gen Y? What are the key public health issues facing this generation, and what are the driving social and cultural forces behind these issues?

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‘ 21st century life’ is a song located on YouTube, written and sung by Sam Sparro in 2008 when he was 25 years of age. Born in 1982, Sam is part of generation Y, so you can expect that his song depicts the health behaviours of this generation. These behaviours are evident in his lyrics that read ‘watched the news on my computer screen’, ‘buying weed out of a vending machine’ and ‘I need to get down and play’. His song simply follows the typical behaviours and attitudes that people born in this generation perform in their daily life. ======

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It can be strongly stated that the use of illicit drugs, consumption of alcohol, smoking, involvement in sex-risk behaviours and the happenings of music festivals comes as no surprise as standard actions of generation Y (Patterson, 2007), however has the prevalence of these health risk behaviours been as dominating and dangerous in previous generations? The answer… Well it doesn’t come too easily. A great deal of research into these health-risk behaviours of generation Y and how they have changed from previous generations will be comprehensively discussed throughout this essay. A critical analysis into the social and cultural aspects of this public health issue will be presented to thoroughly understand why the actions of these increasingly risky behaviours are becoming a greater threat to the health of young Australians. ======

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Evidence from World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank has found that alcohol-related death and disability accounts for great costs to life and mortality and that youth consumption leads to later misuse. Acute health consequences including suicides, motor vehicle crashes and drowning are common consequences of youth alcohol consumption (Beyers, Toumbourou, Catalano, Arthur & Hawkins, 2004). The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2008) found that the average age people aged between 15 and 24 years had first consumed alcohol was 16 years, 2 years below the legal age. Furthermore, AIHW (2007) established that 73% of generation Y were consuming alcohol and of those, 90% stated it was very easy to obtain alcohol, while more than 70% sourced their alcohol from parents or friends. People in the 20-29 year age bracket, both male and female, are also most likely to consume alcohol in a manner that places them at risk of harm – with 26.3% consuming alcohol at levels which risk short-term alcohol-related harm, and 10.4% drinking at levels considered ‘risky’ and 4.3% at ‘high risk’ levels for experiencing long-term (chronic) alcohol related harm. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2007) has indicated that 18% of generation Y get involved in weekly binge drinking, whilst 28% of females aged 19 years or younger binge drink weekly, sitting slightly higher than males. In addition to this, the Alcohol Education Rehabilitation Foundation (AERF) (2011) have reported that over 60% of generation Y drinkers admit to drinking for the intention of getting drunk. While generation Y frequently carry out these health-risk behaviours, the AERF has stated that 82% of Australians believe our nation has a drinking problem and feel more action is needed to fight the damaged caused from alcohol misuse, with more than half of the Australian population believing that governments, pubs and clubs and alcohol companies are not doing enough to address alcohol-related harms. These statistics evidently indicate that alcohol misuse among generation Y is an important health issue within the Australian population, therefore the underlying question is what can be expected in the future for the health of Australians if these issues aren’t acted upon. ======

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The AIHW (2007) has found that Australians in the 20-29 year age group exhibit the highest smoking rates, with 23.5% smoking on a daily basis. Furthermore, the National Drug Strategy Household Survey (2007) reported that over one in ten people aged 12-24 years were daily tobacco smokers. Smith, Jones & Algie (2007) have strongly stated that tobacco smoking is the single largest preventable cause of death and disability in Australia, yet contrary to this Begg, Vos, Barker, Stevenson, Stanley & Lopez (2007) have found that tobacco rates in 2003 contributed 20% towards all cancer cases, the highest rate than any other attributable burden of cancer. ======

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The National Drug Strategy Household Survey (2007) has also found that 23% of people aged 15-24 years reported using illicit drugs during the last 12 months. Marijuana was the most commonly used followed by ecstasy and methamphetamines and pharmaceuticals (ABS, 2008). A study conducted by Kandel, Yamaguchi and Chen Young (as cited in ABS, 2008) people who use drugs may begin their experimentation with substances such as alcohol or marijuana, and then move on to use harder drugs such as meth/amphetamines. Further research shows that the age ofonset of substance use is one of the most important predictorsof subsequent drug addiction as well as the age of onset of substance use is reported to be decreasing (Bonomo & Bowes, 2001). Illicit drugs are a direct cause of death and disability as well as beingrisk factors for conditions such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, low birth weight, inflammatoryheart disease, poisoning, and suicide and self-inflicted injuries, and it was found in 2003 that illicit drug and alcohol use were the largest contributing risk factors to the total burden of disease and injury among young people aged 15-24 years (ABS, 2008). Illicit drug use is also associated with psychological and behavioural problems, such as, delusions and hallucinations, memory problems, suicidal ideation, aggressive and erratic behaviour, and is linked with criminal behaviour (AIHW, 2010). A study conducted by Bonomo and Bowes in 2001 found that drug use is now widespread amongst Australian youth. Substance abuse and dependence are becoming increasingly significant health problems, where it is expected that acorresponding escalation in drug-related harm will occurunless effective strategies for prevention and treatment of drugaddiction are implemented (Bonomo & Bowes, 2001). ======

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Music festivals are becoming ubiquitous in Australia with more than 17 annual festivals established in the last decade, primarily targeting young adults (Wilson, Bryant, Holt & Treloar (2010). Experience of illicit drug use is common among festival patrons, and a study conducted in Melbourne regarding drug taking at music festivals reported a significant increase in hallucinogen, ecstasy and inhalant use from 2005 to 2008 (Lim, Hellard, Hocking, Spelman & Aitken, 2010). A study conducted in 2004 regarding drug use among young people at music festivals found that majority of the 1600 people surveyed had used illicit substances. A study conducted by Lim, Hellard, Hocking and Aitken (2009) have found that young Australians involved in musicsub-cultures such as those attending nightclubs, raves,concerts, and music festivals are thought to be morefrequent users of illicit drugs, and it has been suggestedthat illicit drug use is becoming ‘normalised’ in these sub-populations of young people. This statement can further supported from a study conducted by Holt (2005). ======

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The 2008 National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health surveyed Year 10 and 12 school students and found that a whopping 30% of sexually active students reported an unwanted sexual experience and 24% of students reported being drunk or high the last time they had sexual intercourse. Kang, Skinner and Foram (2007) have stated that young Australian people aged 12-25 years are sexually active at a younger age and have more sexual partners compared to previous generations, where the rates of pregnancy and STI’s are significant in this age group. A literature review by Sykes (2011) supports this, where she states that Australian teenage pregnancy rates rank in the top ten of OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries. The AIHW (2010) has stated that parenthood during teenage years can pose significant long-term risks to both mother and child, including interrupted schooling, a high risk of lone parenthood, greater dependence on government assistance and poverty. Sexually transmissible infections are prevalent in Australia (Lim et al., 2009), where disease surveillance shows that diagnoses of chlamydia and other STI’s are increasing. However, Lim et al. (2009) have stated that a possible explanation for is the increasing STI diagnoses due to increased STI testing. ======

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The current economic, social, and political conditions that we live under divide the generations and the same conditions act upon people of different ages in different ways (McCrindle, n.d.). As stated in a study conducted by Ferguson (2011), generation Y are described as even more sophisticatedand media-wise than their Generation X predecessors. There is a large body of literature on Generation Y as a group of consumers, their consumption habits and underpinning values, where it has been suggested that this generation share a global culture facilitated by global media vehicles such as MTV who tell them what content is cool and what is not. Results from this literature have shown that these exposures strongly shape generation Y’s values, attitudes, beliefs and therefore consequent behaviours in life (Ferguson, 2011). ======

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Poutvaara and Siemers’ (2008) research was based within the social psychology context, where they studied the impact of social norms on the behavior of individuals. They concluded that individuals might adopt norms that other people follow, simplyto avoid negative evaluations by others or social conﬂict arising from disagreement. They alsosuggest that social conventions may ariseas a spontaneous order, and be stable, even if they are inefficient. A study by Bonomo and Bowes (2001) supports this and further suggests that an appreciation of peers and anattachment to peer groups occurs as part of adolescent’s psychosocial development. They mention that this is the time that experimentation and health risk behaviours are more likely to occur such as drug and alcohol use, sexual activity and mental health issues such as depression. ======

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In Patterson’s (2007) article, he states that generation Y grew up with mobile phones, the internet, pay TV and laptops, therefore technology has played an important part in empowering them, with approximately three-quarters of this generation regularly using the internet. They are the most educated-minded generation in history and are generally socially aware, having being the first generation to view advertising while in the womb. As a result of these exposures and experiences, the Australian Government (2009) has found the correlation between alcohol and advertising very strong. The Health Preventative Taskforce (2009) states that alcohol advertising and promotion increases the likelihood that adolescents will start to use alcohol and drink more of it if they are already consuming it, and that there is also a link between exposure to alcohol commercials and role models (media exposure) on acute alcohol consumption among young people who had previously not drunk alcohol. ======

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Patterson (2007) states that generation Y is consumer based, always exposed to the media and is therefore easily influenced by cultural and social conformity, which is what shapes their behaviours as a generation. An article by Pirkis, Irwin, Brindis, Patton and Sawyer (2003) states that Australia has recognised adolescent substance use as a major public health problem with considerable personal and societal costs. The AIHW (2010) lists the health implications related to drug use and studies have shown that the age ofonset of substance use is one of the most important predictorsof subsequent drug addiction. With the Australian public’s exposure to these health issues, the National Drug Strategy, which additionally follows alcohol and tobacco use trends, is one example of a strategic plan developed to respond to this compelling social issue. Having said this, the study conducted by Bonomo and Bowes (2001) mentions the importance of adolescent’s peer appreciation and attachment to groups in their psychosocial development. With this, it should be highlighted that generation Y is currently in, or have just past, their adolescent psychosocial development, where experimentation and health-risk behaviours are likely to occur. ======

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The artefact I chose clearly represents the behavioural traits portrayed by generation Y, as discussed throughout this essay. It strongly highlights the normality of technology and drug use within this generation and the huge role it has in their everyday life, as indicated by the lyrics ‘watching the news on my computer screen’ and ‘buying my weed out of a vending machine’. As a result of this generation’s exposure to media and technology, it has become increasingly obvious to me, the impact and influence these factors have on the behaviour choices among generation Y, such as the use of drugs, alcohol and sex-risk actions. As a generation Y’er myself, it’s a scary thought, after thoroughly considering how often I am exposed to technology everyday, that what I believe are ‘normal’ actions and traits, aren’t actually the same beliefs as other generations, such as the beliefs of my parents. ======

After a critical analysis into the health issues of generation Y as a result of their behavioural aspects represented in their daily life, I have been lead to strongly believe that generation Y is not a very healthy generation. After learning the facts of alcohol and drug use and the behaviours regarding safe sex, I feel that this generation does not consider the impacts these choices may have on their health, let alone the stress we are putting on the Australian health care system with relation to binge drinking and drug overdose hospitalisations. Having considered the risk behaviours of this generation, I believe there’s a possibility that the generations to come will involve themselves in higher risk actions if this public health issue is not addressed.

**References**

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2011). //Apparent consumption of alcohol.// Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4307.0.55.002main+features31944-45+to+2008-09

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2008). //Risk taking by young people.// Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Chapter5002008#Anchor1

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2007). //2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey report: Canberra (AIHW)//. Retrieved from http:www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=32212254712

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2010). //Australia’s Health 2010: Canberra (AIHW)//. Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=6442468376

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">// Bonomo, Y., & Bowes, G. (2001). Putting harm reduction into an adolescent context. ////Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 37//(1), 5-8. doi: <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">10.1046/j.1440-1754.2001.00623.x

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">//C ommonwealth Department of Health and Aging. (2009). // //Secondary Students and Sexual Health 2008.// Retrieved from La Trobe University website http://www.latrobe.edu.au/arcshs/downloads/arcshs-research-publications/secondary-students-and-sexual-health-2008.pdf

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">// The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. (2008) .// //Families in Australia: 2008.// Retrieved from Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website http://www.dpmc.gov.au/publications/families/docs/Families_in_Australia_08_chapter3_low.pdf

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Ferguson, S. (2011). A global culture of cool? Generation Y and their perception of coolness. //Young Consumers: Insight and Ideas for Responsible Marketers, 12 (3), 265-275 //. doi: 10.1108/17473611111163313

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">// Holt, M. (2005, February). //Young people and illicit drug use in Australia//. Paper presented at Social Policy Research Centre.// Retrieved from http://www.sprc.unsw.edu.au/media/File/SRIP03.pdf

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">// Kang, M., Skinner, R., & Foran, T. (2007). Sex, contraception and health. ////Australian Family Physician, 36//(8), 598-600. Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">http:search.informit.com.au.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/fullText;dn=357517487335238;res=IELHEA

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"> Lim, M., Hellard, M., Hocking, J., & Aitken, C. (2009). Surveillance of STI risk behaviour among young people attending a music festival in Australia, 2005-2008. //Australia and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 33//(5), 482-484. doi: 10.1111fj.1753-6405.2009.00434.x

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"> Lim, M., Hellard, M., Hocking, J., Spelman, T., & Aitken, C. (2010). Surveillance of drug use among young people attending a music festival in Australia, 2005-2008. //Drug and Alcohol Review, 29//(2), 150-156. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20447222

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">McCrindle, M. (n.d.). //Understanding generation Y.// Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">http://www.learningtolearn.sa.edu.au/colleagues/files/links/understandinggeny.pdf

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">National Preventative Health Taskforce. (2009). //National Preventative Health Strategy.// Retrieved from Preventative Health website http://www.preventativehealth.org.au/internet/preventativehealth/publishing.nsf/Content/nphs-roadmap/$File/nphs-roadmap.pdf

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Patterson, B. (2007, July 8). A-Z of Generation Y//.// //Herald Sun.// Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/sunday-heraldsun/a-z-of-generation-y/story-e6frf92f-1111113909372

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Pirkis, J., Irwin, C., Brindis, C., Patton, G., & Sawyer, M. (2003). Adolescent substance use: Beware of international comparisons. //Journal of Adolescent Health, 33//(4), 279-286. Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14519570

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Poutvaara, P., & Siemers, L. (2008). Smoking and social interaction. //Journal of Health Economics, 27//(1), 1503-1515. Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">http://webs.wofford.edu/pechwj/Smoking%20and%20Social%20Interaction.pdf

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Smith, K., Jones, S. & Algie, J. (2007, September). Measuring source credibility of generation Y: An application to messages about smoking and alcohol consumption. //Paper presented at Research Online.// Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1068&context=hbspapers&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com.au%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dsmoking%2Brate%2Baustralian%2Byouth%2Bgeneration%2By%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26oe%3DUTF-8%26redir_esc%3D%26ei%3DPMmnTtqSBamOiAfmzYiYDg%26gs_sm%3De%26gs_upl%3D4201539l4208361l0l4208503l38l17l0l0l0l0l0l0ll0l0%26oq%3Dsmoking%2Brate%2Baustralian%2Byouth%2Bgeneration%2By%26aq%3Df%26aqi%3D%26aql%3D1#search=%22smoking%20rate%20australian%20youth%20generation%20y%22

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">// Sykes, E. (2011). Teen Pregnancy// [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2011/09/20/3321928.htm

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">// Wilson, H., Bryant, J., Holt, M., & Treloar, C. (2010). Normalisation of recreational drug use among young people: Evidence about accessibility, use and contact with other drug users. ////Health Sociology Review, 19//(2), 164-175. Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=f7d4e8e0-04ad-4ea6-9cee-a08ceaf528b7%40sessionmgr115&vid=2&hid=106

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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">**Learning reflection**

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">//**Anything you can do, I can do BETTER!**// <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">As soon as I read the public health issue of this wiki I came to the realisation that the real issue within this topic is the media's failure to show women's sport to the public, therefore having no impact or influence on children. I was shocked to read that commercial television stations that they only reflect the community's wishes, but when women are on the television it is framed around their physical appearance rather than their athletic accomplishments. I couldn't believe that although women are playing more sport these days than ever before, the role models in our everyday lives viewed on the television etc are mainly male, who also receive a seriously greater pay check compared to women.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">After reading this wiki, I became aware that it is difficult to leave behind the notion that differences between the sexes are biological rather than cultural and the male sporting superiority is the 'natural' order of things, although completely unfair in current times. It was a thoroughly interesting read and I definitely learned more regarding women in sport.