It’s easy for anyone to take their health for granted. Yet, there are few things more precious, more valuable, than one’s own physical well-being. In an ideal world, young adults and adolescents wouldn’t have to worry about health concerns. After all, young people aren’t “supposed” to be at risk for major health problems the way older generations are. Nevertheless, there are certain health risks that tend to affect young people inordinately. The good news is, the more you learn about them, the more you can do to protect yourself. Here are five serious health risks that all young people should be aware of:

Smoking/Drinking

The detrimental effects that cigarettes and alcohol have on the body are extremely well documented. It’s reasonable to assume that everyone is aware that neither activity is healthy. Still, the fact remains that almost all smokers –– 99% –– develop a smoking habit before they turn 26. And alcoholism is similarly tied to decisions made in adolescence and early adulthood. Furthermore, alcohol in particular presents an immediate threat to young people’s safety, which leads us to our next point . . .

Car Accidents

While alcohol doesn’t account for every car accident (not by a long shot) the fact remains that 29 Americans die every day as a result of car accidents involving an alcohol-impaired driver. In addition, motor-vehicle accidents are the number-one cause of death among young people. Put simply, you can never be too careful behind the wheel of a car.

Mental Health/Stress

Some people may assume that stress is a natural, or even normal aspect of everyday life. But this is not the case. In reality, one in five college students feel so stressed that they contemplate suicide. Note, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among uoung people. Stress can wreak havoc on a person in a number of ways –– some of which are very subtle.

Obesity

High-profile films like Super Size Me have helped to draw attention to the obesity epidemic, but young people still have to be aware of their diet and exercise routines. Making poor choices in that regard now could lead to big health problems –– and they may manifest sooner than you think!

STDs

While scientists have made some amazing breakthroughs in the treatment of STDs, several of these infections can be fatal. The scary thing about STDs is that their symptoms vary wildly; anything from penis spots to a sore throat could indicate the presence of an STD. That’s why it’s important for all sexually active people (and particularly those in college) to get tested regularly.