title: Adolescence as a critical stage in the MCH Life Course Model: commentary for the Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) interdisciplinary training program projects.
abstract: The Life Course Perspective (LCP), or Model, is now a guiding framework in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) activities, including training, supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau. As generally applied, the LCP tends to focus on pre- through post-natal stages, infancy and early childhood, with less attention paid to adolescents as either the "maternal" or "child" elements of MCH discourse. Adolescence is a distinct developmental period with unique opportunities for the development of health, competence and capacity and not merely a transitional phase between childhood and adulthood. Adequately addressing adolescents' emergent and ongoing health needs requires well-trained and specialized professionals who recognize the unique role of this developmental period in the LCP.
authors: Division of Adolescent Health and Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA, shlaf002@umn.edu.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Shlafer
authors: Albert C
authors: AC
authors: Hergenroeder
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Jean Emans
authors: Vaughn I
authors: VI
authors: Rickert
authors: Hoover
authors: H
authors: Adger
authors: Bonnie
authors: B
authors: Spear
authors: Charles E
authors: CE
authors: Irwin
authors: Richard E
authors: RE
authors: Kreipe
authors: Leslie R
authors: LR
authors: Walker
authors: Michael D
authors: MD
authors: Resnick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D041923:Adolescent Development; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D002648:Child; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D058025:Interdisciplinary Studies; D007857:Leadership; D064890:Social Determinants of Health; D014146:Training Support; D014481:United States; D014488:United States Health Resources and Services Administration / Q000191:economics; D055815:Young Adult