The disparities vary so much. It isn’t one race or ethnic group that’s always worse off.

Our hypothesis is that young adults are more vulnerable to poor health practices than teenagers because they are leaving the more protective environments of home and school.

What’s surprising is to see the decline in health across such a large array of outcomes.

It’s stunning. We looked at 20 areas, and 16 out of the 20 showed declines in health indicators.

Maybe this is a transitional period with no impact. Maybe these young people get married, cut back drinking, quit smoking and their diet improves. I can’t wait to find out.