Media Advisory

Study Shows Benefits of Biculturalism

Who:

CDC's Coordinating Center for Environmental Health and Injury Prevention has released resources and a formatted news release to help Latino adolescents and their families stay happy and healthy throughout their adolescence.

What:

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supported study shows that Latino adolescents in the United States who maintain ties to their culture of origin are more likely to develop healthy behaviors than their peers who do not. Latino adolescents with strong awareness of their family’s culture reported higher self esteem, fewer social problems and less hopelessness, aggression and substance abuse. CDC has developed tips to help adolescents and their families find this cultural balance.

Where:

Resources for Latino adolescents and their parents to keep adolescents happy and healthy are available now at: www.cdc.gov/espanol. CDC researchers are also currently available to provide additional information and interviews on these findings.

Link to Formatted News Release in English and Spanish:
http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/matteLifeStages.htm#8

Link to Special Acculturation Feature and Tools/Tips in Spanish: http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/especialesCDC/AdolescentesLatinos/

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES