The years between age 10 and 24 span a critical stage of life. During adolescence, many behaviours that influence adult health are initiated or firmly set in place. But this age group has received relatively little attention from the health care professions, and most services for youth focus on problems rather than on the potential for promoting healthy lifestyles. Educational programs for teachers, social workers, psychologists, physicians and professionals from a wide range of other fields currently provide little or no specific training in youth health. The program is relevant for professionals who are already in practice and for individuals in post-graduate training programs in a variety of disciplines, including medicine, nursing, psychology, child and youth care, social work, nutrition, recreation, education, speech and language pathology, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy and rehabilitation.
Young people have contact with a variety of medical and non-medical professionals.
Unfortunately, many professionals do not acquire the skills and knowledge needed to work successfully with youth. Because they are uncomfortable with youth, they may avoid seeing adolescent clients or may act harshly or inappropriately in their dealings with this age group. An ability to interact effectively with young people both enhances the competence of the professional and creates opportunities for promoting health in this population group. The current problem-based emphasis fragments adolescent health care and often defeats attempts to deliver integrated services. To date, most disease prevention and health promotion strategies have had limited impact on core issues such as teen pregnancy, suicide, violence, and misuse of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.