Foregone Health Care Among Adolescents

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Abstract
Physicians' opportunities to address adolescents' health needs depend on adolescents at risk of health problems seeking care. Health care for emotional problems, substance use, and risk-associated sexual behaviors is particularly important since major causes of adolescent morbidity and mortality are related to motor vehicle injuries, interpersonal violence, suicide, alcohol and tobacco use, and sexual behaviors.1,2 Physicians have opportunities to screen adolescents for behaviors associated with potential negative health outcomes and for health problems during routine health care3 and visits precipitated by adolescents' concerns. Both depend on adolescents having access to and using health care services.