For Health Care Providers
Adolescents have
health care needs that are specific to their age and developmental progress.
Many causes of injury and death link to risk behaviors that start during
adolescence. The major causes of mortality (motor vehicle accidents, homicide,
and suicide) are preventable. Pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and
substance abuse are preventable too. At the same time, youth will only seek
care if it’s confidential. Providers should look at development and complex
needs to identify health concerns.
Adults who
provide services and support to young people can use the Texas Health Step’s Adolescent
Health: A Guide for Providers. It offers tips on health and related legal issues in the adolescent
years. Ask for legal guidance if you have concerns or questions on laws. Visit
the Texas Health Steps webpage for a current version of the Guide for
Providers.
Transition to
adult services maximizes lifelong functioning and well-being for all youth. The
American Academy of Pediatricians provides an algorithm to assist with transition at the appropriate
ages. Got Transition has tools and resources for providers, parents,
and youth.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) and American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) have launched new resources to support healthcare providers.
These tools improve knowledge of sexual and reproductive health care for
adolescents. The new resources provide guidance on:
- Recommended services,
- Approaches to addressing important clinical
issues, and
- Information on how to optimize the adolescent’s health
and reduce risk taking behaviors.
You can share the patient and family specific information.
They will help patients and their families.
Next Steps:
Check out the new AAP online
page for adolescent sexual and reproductive health. The site provides ideas
to assist and support health services to adolescents. It features a variety of
resources.
Take the FREE Let’s
Talk About Sex Courses:
Watch the new videos:
Follow CDC’s DASH
(@CDC_DASH)
and AAP
(@AAPNews) on Twitter.
Also visit these CDC DASH resources:
Helpful Web Sites
for Preventive Services Guidelines for Adolescents:
American Academy of Pediatrics
Society for Adolescent Health &
Medicine
Bright
Futures
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
For more
information, please contact us at:
Texas Department of State Health Services
Maternal & Child Health
PO Box 149347, Mail Code 1922
Austin, TX 78714-9347
Phone: (512) 776-7373
Fax: (512) 458-7658
TitleV@dshs.texas.gov
External links
to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement
of the Texas Department of State Health Services. These external links may not
be accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information about Maternal
and Child Health or information regarding adolescent health in Texas, please
email TitleV@dshs.texas.gov or call (512) 776-7373.