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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 462-466 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Maternal and child health journal |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Adolescent development
- Adolescent health
- Life course
- Maternal and child health training programs
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Epidemiology
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health