What is the special contribution of health workers to the health and development of adolescents?
Health workers contribute to the health and development of adolescents, firstly, as service providers – they help adolescents stay well, and help those who are ill get back to good health. They do this through: • the provision of information, advice, counselling and clinical services aimed at promoting health and preventing health problems and problem behaviours; • the diagnosis/detection and management of health problems and problem behaviours; and • referral to other health and social service providers, when necessary. Health workers also play an important role as agents of change in helping educators, religious leaders, political leaders and other influential community members understand the needs of adolescents, and the importance of working together to meet these needs.
