The special healthcare needs of young people have long been recognised, but, before 1990, much of Australian adolescent medical practice was confined to small inpatient units in the major city paediatric hospitals. Other facets of adolescent healthcare — primary care, sexual and reproductive health, student health and mental health — operated independently. This was in stark contrast to North America, where the specialty of adolescent medicine had taken the lead in adolescent healthcare for three decades.
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- Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC.
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