This issue brief provides a broad-based grounding in adolescent health and related policy by examining access to health services for adolescents, their insurance coverage, and the role of state and federal policies in shaping access to care. While generally enjoying good health, teenagers face a range of physiological and developmental changes, including puberty, burgeoning independence, experimentation and risky behaviors, which shape their health decisions and needs. There are multiple initiatives underway to improve future health outcomes for teens, such as development of teen-friendly health settings and initiatives to increase the supply of providers trained to address the sensitive health issues that arise in teenage patients. The brief also discusses how implementation of the the health reform law may affect health coverage, access, and incentives to use preventive care for adolescents.

 Issue Brief (.pdf)

Related: KaiserEDU Issue Module on Adolescent Health