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POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS: The Province of Vojvodina is a region with 16% of population aged 65 and over, average age of 38.1 years, and aging index 0.85%. Vital statistics show low birth rate, increased death rate and as a result - a negative population growth., Morbidity and Mortality: The leading causes of death were cardiovascular diseases, malignant diseases and injuries, accounting for more than 2/3 of all deaths. The most common outpatient morbidity of adult population included respiratory diseases, but cardiovascular diseases were of greater public health concern, accounting for more than 1/5 of the total morbidity. The hospital morbidity data showed that malignant diseases, cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal diseases were the most frequent. HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: In 2005, a highly-developed network included 77 health-care institutions with 29.659 employees, out of which 20.960 were health professionals (4.577 doctors, 754 dentists and 423 pharmacists).

Introduction: Numerous studies have shown that sexual behaviour increases among adolescents. Disharmony between biological and psychosocial maturity among young people may cause risky behavior, and endanger psychophysical and reproductive health of young persons., Material and Methods: A questionnaire on sexual behaviour was completed by 169 adolescents, 1st and 4th year high school students., Results: Every 6th first grade and every 2nd fourth grade adolescent is sexually active. Male adolescents begin sexual activities significantly earlier (at the age of 15.6) than female adolescents (16.5). Also, young men have significantly more partners (3.6) than girls (1.3), and more parallel sexual relations than girls. Only 1/3 of sexually active adolescents always use some kind of contraception, more frequently boys (41.9%) than girls (26.7%)., Discussion: Early commencement of sexual activity results with longer active period before realization of the reproductive function, which increases risk for reproductive health disorders. Unprotected sexual intercourse and large number of partners also present significant risk factors., Conclusion: Sexual life of adolescents begins at the age of 16, on average, and only every third always uses contraceptive protection, which points to a need for better education on reproductive health by using contemporary methods. It is also necessary to increase availability of contraceptives (condoms) at all places where adolescents spend time (in schools, bars, cinemas, disco clubs etc.) in order to achieve responsible sexual behavior and protection of reproductive health among youth.

Introduction: Health protection and health promotion are the primary goals of modern medicine. Since children's health is the cornerstone of adult's health, it must be in the center of all social and health care strategies., Vulnerability Concept: Vulnerability means exposure to harmful influences, risks or stress, which increases disease probability. The most vulnerable are categories that are exposed to influence of many harmful factors, which have minimal chances for survival and lowest quality of life., Vulnerability of Children Without Parental Care: Vulnerability of children without parental care is caused by lack and/or inadequate family environment. These children are usually emotionally unstable; they frequently develop conduct disorders and have low self-esteem. As adolescents, these children have tendency to risky behavior, which greatly decreases their health potentials., Health Status and Quality of Life: All three components of health are endangered with children without parental care. These children present with physical, psycho-motoric and intellectual impairments. There are no studies about quality of life regarding these children, but we can assume that their quality of life is lower than in children who experience protective family environment, since quality of psychosocial factors and family environment are very important predictors of quality of life., Conclusion: Children without parental care are an extremely vulnerable category, because they are subjected to various risk factors. Therefore, in order to improve health potentials and quality of life, special measures are required in health care, psychological care and social welfare.