Drinking, Smoking, Violence & Other Risky Behavior

Most of us think about health in terms of avoiding diseases, but avoiding risky habits and behaviors is often equally important. The National Research Center for Women and Families reviews research to determine what is known and not known about the impact of smoking, excessive alcohol use, and drug abuse, and how to avoid those risks. Violence in homes and communities can also ruin people’s lives, and research can provide strategies on how to avoid violence and keep all family members safe. Could your daughter be harmed by her boyfriend? Do violent TV programs influence your children despite living in a happy home and safe neighborhood? What’s the best way to keep kids safe? We provide information and news you can use, by making this information available and understandable to our readers. We have summarized recent research findings, and often provide information about how you can get a free copy of the original research.

We include the most up to date information on these topics. If some of the information is from studies conducted several years ago, it’s because those results are just as true today. We keep information from studies and reports up on our website as long as they are accurate and useful.

Although sports and overeating are also risky behaviors, those topics are included in other sections of this web site.

For information about how to help your children so that they won’t get cancer as adults, see the prevention section of our Cancer Prevention & Treatment web site at www.stopcancerfund.org