Health care of youth in corrections

The number of juveniles in correctional facilities is growing. These youth tend to have significant medical and mental health problems, yet they are underserved with respect to health care. Health care providers can work to improve the health status of incarcerated youth by pushing for improved funding of and standards for their health care and for their increased access to care while they are in correctional facilities and after they are released. This article presents a summary of statistics about the rates of youth incarceration and about the health status of such youth. It also offers recommendations for improving the health care of juveniles involved with the justice system.