The health status of youth in juvenile detention facilities

Youth exiting detention facilities have particularly high rates of co-occurring health-risk behaviors, while lacking access to the health care system. Not surprisingly, these youth suffer a disproportionate share of adolescent morbidity and mortality. Their time of incarceration often represents their only significant contact with a health care provider outside of an emergency setting. As such, it is critical that health care providers utilize the opportunity to educate and connect these youth with community resources to facilitate their access to health care upon their reemergence into the community. We review the factors affecting the health of youth in detention, and the health problems that are among the greatest sources of morbidity and mortality in this adolescent population.