Sexual and reproductive health care: a position paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is an important aspect of normal adolescent growth and development that encompasses biological sex, gender roles and identity, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and reproduction [1,2]. Achieving healthy adolescent sexual development involves managing the many physical, social, and emotional changes experienced during adolescence. Medically accurate and developmentally appropriate SRH education and barrier-free access to related clinical services [3] contribute to successful navigation of this developmental task. In recognition of this important fact, the United Nations declared that comprehensive sexual health information and services constitute a basic right for adolescents as articulated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child [4]. To support the adolescent’s right to the highest attainable standard of health, the Convention specifically identifies “the right to control one’s health and body, including sexual and reproductive freedom to make responsible choices,” and this right is achieved through “access to a range of facilities, goods, services and conditions that provide equality of opportunity for every child.” Sociocultural context, laws, policies, and economics, however, affect access to these basic rights.