September 18, 2025
The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) has released a new position paper, “Confidential Healthcare for Adolescent Minors and Young Adults,” reaffirming its commitment to ensuring adolescents and young adults (AYAs) have access to high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and confidential healthcare. The paper underscores confidentiality as essential for addressing sensitive issues—such as sexual and reproductive health, substance use, and mental health—and calls on healthcare professionals, system leaders, policymakers, and families to protect confidentiality while fostering youths’ transition to independent care.