The context
Young people’s health has recently received growing attention, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and rightly so. Globally, it is estimated that around 4500 10–24-year-olds die each day, with leading causes being injuries, interpersonal violence, fatal self-harm, and maternal conditions (such as postpartum haemorrhage).1 Young people are the future generation of adults and it is in our interest that health systems, especially primary healthcare as the first point of contact in most developed countries, enable them to develop holistically to achieve their potential. In this editorial, we review primary healthcare systems in Australia and England — which have a similar accessible universal model of care — and consider how access to primary care services can be optimised for young people aged 10–25 years.
Current access
The age of 10–25 years is a time of crucial development, where physical, biological, and psychosocial development and maturation occur.1 In England, most young people aged 16–25 years are registered with a general practice and 64% have had a good experience of making a GP appointment.2 From 2008–2009 in Australia, young people under 25 had around 12 million GP consultations,3 and across 2022–2023, 71% of 15–24 year olds saw a GP in the previous year.4 There have been increasing rates of young people presenting to general practice for mental health, self-harm and suicide, respiratory, dermatology, and musculoskeletal concerns.5,6
The need for accessible youth-friendly primary care services
The adolescence period (10–19 years) has been linked to ongoing neurodevelopmental changes and an increased risk of impulsivity where unhealthy behaviours such as illicit drug use, alcohol, and smoking can commence and lead to lasting negative health behaviours.7 Chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and asthma can manifest at this time, and mental illness often begins in early adolescence.7
In 2021, there were 11.8 million young people in the UK …
