The overall goal of this exploratory
project is to improve the quality of adolescent health care. The
project will address suboptimal adolescent care with respect to
health risk behaviors, which can have serious health consequences.
In particular, failure to address health risk behaviors among
adolescents (e.g., smoking, substance abuse, poor diets, physical
inactivity, and high-risk sexual behavior) contributes
significantly to increased morbidity and mortality. Adolescents
(11-17 years of age) constitute 17% of the population of the U.S.,
but they are responsible for only 7% of medical office visits. As a
result, primary care providers have relatively less opportunity to
evaluate and counsel adolescents in their offices than most other
patients. Even when adolescents receive routine health care, open
communication with their health care providers may be problematic.
A national survey found that the majority of adolescent boys and
girls in the U.S. report at least 1 of 8 potential health risks,
but most (63%) had not spoken to their doctor about any of these
(Klein & Wilson, 2002). Improved engagement and communication
between adolescents and their primary care providers could increase
the likelihood that effective preventive services and health care
are provided. It could also improve the efficiency of health care
services for adolescents, in terms of appointments kept and
adherence to recommended screening or treatment
recommendations.
US Code:
42
USC 299 Name of Law: Healthcare Research and Quality Act of
1999
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