- Separate units for youth
- Outreach clinics with specially trained staff
- Mobile clinics
- Special hours
- Convenient and safe locations
- Youth-to-youth promotion
- Low or no-cost services
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Photo: I. Yacobson/FHI
Slide 48
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Health clinics in general have not been successful in reaching
young adults with the kinds of services they need. Services
for youth need to be where youth are and be well-designed. Long
waiting times, impersonal staff, or judgmental providers may
easily discourage youth.
In an attempt to serve youth better, some clinics are opening
either separate units or outreach clinics designed for youth
with specially trained staff. Small outreach clinics in structures
separate from the major health facility have been shown to attract
young people and win community support when they are part of
a broader social services network. Mobile clinics have also
been successful in some places. Services with special hours
of operation when youth can come are important for attracting
youth. Clinics need to be located where youth will find them
convenient and safe, such as in youth centers. Youth-to-youth
promotion can encourage use of these clinics as can specially
designed informational materials. The cost of services can be
a constraint for many young people. To be successful, youth
programs may need to provide free or low-cost services.
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