Adolescent health needs and access to care in the Army medical system

The United States Army Medical Department operates one of the largest comprehensive medical care systems. Health of adolescents is promoted by providing them with access to care without the impediment of direct monetary charge. This study defines the scope of health concerns and the availability of care for the common health problems of adolescents in this geographically widespread medical care system of high accessibility. In addition to common respiratory illness, more age-group-unique musculoskeletal, psychosocial, dermatologic, gynecologic, and sexuality-related problems are noted. Availability of care varies by location, with tertiary centers providing more services appropriate to developmental stage. These data are useful in planning improved health-care services appropriate to developmental stages of adolescents in the Army medical system as well as in other health-care systems.