Adolescent Health Services

Adolescence is a time of major transition, however, health care services in the United States today are not designed to help young people develop healthy routines, behaviors, and relationships that they can carry into their adult lives. While most adolescents at this stage of life are thriving, many of them have difficulty gaining access to necessary services; other engage in risky behaviors that can jeopardize their health during these formative years and also contribute to poor health outcomes in adulthood. Missed opportunities for disease prevention and health promotion are two major problematic features of our nation's health services system for adolescents.Recognizing that health care providers play an important role in fostering healthy behaviors among adolescents, Adolescent Health Services examines the health status of adolescents and reviews the separate and uncoordinated programs and services delivered in multiple public and private health care settings. The book provides guidance to administrators in public and private health care agencies, health care workers, guidance counselors, parents, school administrators, and policy makers on investing in, strengthening, and improving an integrated health system for adolescents.Table of ContentsFront MatterSummary1 Setting the Stage2 Adolescent Health Status3 Current Adolescent Health Services, Settings, and Providers4 Improving Systems of Adolescent Health Services5 Preparing a Workforce to Meet the Health Needs of Adolescents6 Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Adolescent Health Services7 Overall Conclusions and RecommendationsAppendix A: AcronymsAppendix B: Harris Interactive Omnibus Survey QuestionsAppendix C: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and StaffIndex