Children, youth, and older adults are often said to be at greater risk of experiencing violence because their voices are not likely to be heard. They typically have less power, little political clout, and are seldom the squeaky wheel that gets attention. This supplement is composed of articles initially developed for a conference sponsored by the University of Texas at Austin's Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Underserved Populations. Each article addresses an unmet need in the ways communities, families, and agencies such as schools serve youth and adolescents.
In her article, Rew refers to youth and adolescents as a precious resource and contends that despite the many resources available in the United States, we often fail to support and enable these young people to live and grow in healthy, nurturing environments. Her contention became abundantly clear recently as I joined colleagues for several early morning walks through the center of a northwestern city. As we walked, it seemed that the favorable climate, social conditions, and available social supports made it a common occurrence for people of all ages to live on the streets. I was especially struck by the large number of youth who appeared to be in good physical health and spent considerable time on the streets asking for money. What was less apparent was their mental health, including the use of drugs or alcohol or both.
In this supplement, the article by Rew helped me understand what may cause youth homelessness. She differentiates between a house, which connotes a location and typically provides shelter, and a home, which implies both place and relationships. The article then discusses homeless adolescents who find support and a feeling of connection from other youth on the street. This peer support network is deemed critical to the adolescents' experience because it provides caring and acceptance that may not have been present in their families of origin. This special issue of reflects a multidisciplinary approach to the topic of adolescent healthcare. It seeks to create a dialogue about the many issues that will spark further research, collaboration, and public policy to address problems such as unplanned pregnancy, sexual violence, and drug abuse. It is my hope that the articles presented here will encourage readers to examine what they can do to address an issue that influences the future of healthcare as well as the future of generations to come. The articles demonstrate that youth are truly an at-risk population.
Jeanette Lancaster