ADOLESCENT-CENTERED HEALTH 

CARE: THE MOUNT SINAI MODEL 

with Angela Diaz, MD, PhD, MPH

■ Discussion Guide for Families 

This discussion guide is designed for families who are interested in learning up-to-date 

information on high quality healthcare for adolescents and young adults. 

There is a growing understanding that adolescents and young adults need healthcare that is 

geared specifically to their needs, and is distinct from services provided to adults or young 

children. The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center provides high quality, comprehensive, 

and inter-disciplinary health and wellness services focused solely on the unique needs of 

adolescents and young adults. Based on her many years of experience as the Director of the 

Center, Dr. Diaz shares how health professionals can take a wholly different approach to 

providing healthcare to young people.

The discussion guide can be used in a variety of settings including parent/school 

association or other school meetings, parenting classes and support groups, or in 

community or faith-based settings. Here are a few planning tips:

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Plan for participants to view Dr. Diaz’s videos either in individual segments or all 

together at one time. The videos are on YouTube and are a total of 30 minutes in 

length (divided into shorter segments).

Decide who will facilitate the conversation.

Allow about 30 minutes to discuss the questions. If the group is larger than 10 

people, consider breaking into small groups.

Ask the facilitator to walk through the resource list with the group (and, if possible, to 

review the resources themselves before the session).

■ Discussion Questions 

1. Our healthcare system is largely designed for either adults or young children, but 

rarely for teens and young adults. Why should teens and young adults have access to 

adolescent-centered healthcare? What can you do as a parent to provide this 

access?
ADOLESCENT-CENTERED HEALTHCARE: THE MOUNT SINAI MODEL

Discussion Guide for Families 2 

2. The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center has a set of principles that guide the 

services they provide. They ensure that their services are: in a safe place; accessible; 

confidential, comprehensive, integrated and easily navigated; equitable; and high 

quality and effective. Why are these principles important when it comes to healthcare 

for young people? 

3. Addressing the medical and mental health needs of adolescents and young adults 

can be challenging. What are some ways you can start a conversation about mental 

health with your children? 

4. It is critical that our communities are fully informed about the importance of having 

access to adolescent health services. What information will you share with other 

parents? What information will you share with your children?

■ Additional Resources

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Our Model: A Blueprint. Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center. 

http://www.teenhealthcare.org/our-impact/our-model-a-blueprint/

Investing in the Health and Well-Being of Young Adults. Institute of Medicine and 

National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences 2014. 

http://www.nationalacademies.org/hmd/Reports/2014/Investing-in-the-Health-andWell-Being-of-Young-Adults.aspx

What to Look for in a Healthcare Setting. National Human Trafficking Resource 

Center. https://humantraffickinghotline.org/resources/what-look-healthcare-setting

Adolescent Health Services: Missing Opportunities. National Research Council and 

Institute of Medicine. https://www.nap.edu/catalog/12063/adolescent-healthservices-missing-opportunities