Youth health services: Improving access to primary care

Abstract

Marginalised young people are a heterogeneous group who often have multiple and complex needs. While they experience the same health problems as the broader youth population, including overweight and obesity, mental health problems, sexually transmissible infections and health risk behaviours, their access to healthcare is complicated by psychosocial factors including lack of safe or adequate housing, inadequate access to financial support, education or employment, and a mistrust of health services. This article summarises known access barriers for young people, describes a youth health services model in western Sydney, New South Wales, and demonstrates how general practitioners can work collaboratively to provide appropriate healthcare to marginalised young people.