Abstract:

Adolescent health, or youth health, is the range of approaches to preventing, detecting or treating young peoples health and well-being. The term adolescent and young people are often used interchangeably, as are the terms Adolescent Health and Youth Health. Young peoples health is often complex and requires a comprehensive, biopsychosocial approach. Social, cultural and environmental factors are all important areas of focus in adolescent health. Young people have specific health problems and developmental needs that differ from those of children or adults: The causes of ill-health in adolescents are mostly psychosocial rather than biological. Young people often engage in health risk behaviours that reflect the processes of adolescent development: experimentation and exploration, including using drugs and alcohol, sexual behaviour, and other risk taking that affect their physical and mental health. Adolescent health also encompasses childrens and young peoples sexual and reproductive health (SRH).

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