DR. SHANKAR PRASAD BHATTACHARYA

https://doi.org/10.64823/ijter.2604034

Adolescence is a decisive life stage characterized by rapid biological, psychological, emotional, and social transitions. Adolescent-friendly health care systems are intended to provide equitable, accessible, acceptable, confidential, and effective services. However, many such systems underperform when family health care is insufficiently integrated. Families influence nutrition, mental well-being, health-seeking behaviour, adherence to treatment, sexuality education, prevention of substance abuse, and continuity of care. Evidence from global and Indian settings suggests that positive family engagement improves adolescent outcomes, whereas family conflict, neglect, and poor communication increase vulnerability to risky behaviours and delayed care. This paper argues that family health care is an essential pillar of adolescent-friendly health systems. Using a narrative review approach, literature from international agencies and peer-reviewed studies was synthesized. Findings indicate that combining adolescent autonomy with family-centred support strengthens preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative services. Policies should therefore shift from adolescent-only service models toward adolescent-with-family frameworks that are rights-based, culturally responsive, and confidentiality-sensitive.