Facts
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services:
- In 2017, approximately 1 in 3 adolescents reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for 2 weeks or more in a row so that they stopped doing some usual activities.
- Untreated depression can lead to serious health risks.
- There are existing treatments and interventions for depression.
- In 2017, 60.4% of adolescents reported consuming alcohol on at least one day in their life.
- In 2017, 37% of female high school students reported completing the recommended 1 hour of physical activity 5 days of the week. 57% of high school males reported completing the recommended 1 hour of physical activity 5 days of the week.
- In 2017, 15% adolescents had obesity. Having obesity can increase health problems and may contribute to type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, and cardiovascular disease.
- In 2017, 40% of high school students reported engaging in sexual intercourse.
Services Provided
The American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines recommend that adolescents conduct an annual visit with screening and anticipatory guidance for health-related behaviors. The Adolescent Health Program provides services for individuals between the ages of 11 and 21 years that come in for a comprehensive yearly wellness visit in Teen & Adult Services. The wellness visits include:
- Family planning/ Pap smear
- STD/ HIV testing
- Depression and substance use screening services
Care Coordination Services
After seeing a nurse, the patient meets with a care coordinator to review the depression and substance use screenings. The care coordinator is able to make referrals to other services, on behalf of the patient, if necessary. As needed, the care coordinator will also discuss the following with the patient:
- Health care rights
- How to make/ keep a doctor’s appointment
- How to pick up a prescription
- How to read a prescription label
- Help getting connected to a Primary Care Physician
- Where to make a vision appointment
- Where to find dental services
- Help getting a job, food, and clothing
- Help with transitioning from pediatric primary care to adult primary care
- Where to find support groups
- Help finding mental health and substance abuse treatment services
- Help finding other resources as needed
For more information on CUPHD's Adolescent Health Program, contact Kelly Flanigan at kflanigan@c-uphd.org
