Introduction
Alexandra M. Nanzer1, Peter J. Barry2 and Brian D. Kent3
1 Guy’s Severe Asthma Centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK. 2 Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis
Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. 3 School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin,
Dublin, Ireland.
Corresponding author: Alexandra M. Nanzer (alexandra.nanzerkelly@gstt.nhs.uk)
@ERSpublications
This Monograph emphasises the ongoing need for vigilance in adapting healthcare practices to meet the
latest progress in respiratory medicine and the shifting dynamics of adolescents’ health needs https://bit.ly/
ERSM104intro
Copyright ©ERS 2024. Print ISBN: 978-1-84984-178-8. Online ISBN: 978-1-84984-179-5. Print ISSN: 2312-508X. Online
ISSN: 2312-5098.
Advances in medicine over the past century have led to increased survival of children with
chronic diseases. Historically, parent disciplines such as paediatrics or internal medicine have
accorded minimal attention to adolescent patients. But with up to one in five adolescents
currently requiring special healthcare needs, and one in 10 facing limitations in daily activities
due to chronic illnesses or disabilities [1], specialist care that is “adolescent nedicine” and
“Transition of Care” has become more important than ever. The ever-changing societal
landscape and multifaceted psychological aspects of adolescence, young people’s quest for
independence, exploration, and peer influence, contribute to the complexity of managing any
long-term illness. Recognising AYA as a distinct patient population with unique healthcare
needs, we felt it appropriate to dedicate a Monograph to this area.
The book’s first chapter explores the evolution of adolescent health as a unique and emerging
subspecialty and emphasises the importance of early intervention and collaborative efforts
between pediatric, adolescent and adult services [2]. It reviews the advances in the physical and
mental health of adolescents, as well as the cultural and societal changes that impact on them,
stressing the ongoing need for vigilance in adapting healthcare practices to the evolving
movements of adolescents. The chapter adds a strong voice to the case of adolescent medicine
as a dedicated medical specialty.
Health inequality has become a buzzword in policy discussions and the COVID-19 pandemic has
catapulted the catastrophic consequences of inequality onto our screens and into our minds. What
health inequalities means for AYA is a little less clear but there is little doubt that certain social
determinants, such as economic status, education, employment, housing and transport are
particularly influential in shaping young people’s health. HAGELL and MCKEOWN [3] discuss this in
more depth in chapter 2: “Health inequalities and the social determinants of adolescent health”.
Inequality is intricately linked with obesity and the last decade has seen an alarming rise in
obesity rates in AYA. This increase has led to a surge in the morbidity and health burden of
ever-younger people and has, consequently, become a driving force behind the emergence of
adolescent medicine. The chapter on obesity by BRANDRETH et al. [4] therefore felt essential.
https://doi.org/10.1183/2312508X.10008624 ix
Alexandra M. Nanzer1, Peter J. Barry2 and Brian D. Kent3
1 Guy’s Severe Asthma Centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK. 2 Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis
Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. 3 School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin,
Dublin, Ireland.
Corresponding author: Alexandra M. Nanzer (alexandra.nanzerkelly@gstt.nhs.uk)
@ERSpublications
This Monograph emphasises the ongoing need for vigilance in adapting healthcare practices to meet the
latest progress in respiratory medicine and the shifting dynamics of adolescents’ health needs https://bit.ly/
ERSM104intro
Copyright ©ERS 2024. Print ISBN: 978-1-84984-178-8. Online ISBN: 978-1-84984-179-5. Print ISSN: 2312-508X. Online
ISSN: 2312-5098.
Advances in medicine over the past century have led to increased survival of children with
chronic diseases. Historically, parent disciplines such as paediatrics or internal medicine have
accorded minimal attention to adolescent patients. But with up to one in five adolescents
currently requiring special healthcare needs, and one in 10 facing limitations in daily activities
due to chronic illnesses or disabilities [1], specialist care that is “adolescent nedicine” and
“Transition of Care” has become more important than ever. The ever-changing societal
landscape and multifaceted psychological aspects of adolescence, young people’s quest for
independence, exploration, and peer influence, contribute to the complexity of managing any
long-term illness. Recognising AYA as a distinct patient population with unique healthcare
needs, we felt it appropriate to dedicate a Monograph to this area.
The book’s first chapter explores the evolution of adolescent health as a unique and emerging
subspecialty and emphasises the importance of early intervention and collaborative efforts
between pediatric, adolescent and adult services [2]. It reviews the advances in the physical and
mental health of adolescents, as well as the cultural and societal changes that impact on them,
stressing the ongoing need for vigilance in adapting healthcare practices to the evolving
movements of adolescents. The chapter adds a strong voice to the case of adolescent medicine
as a dedicated medical specialty.
Health inequality has become a buzzword in policy discussions and the COVID-19 pandemic has
catapulted the catastrophic consequences of inequality onto our screens and into our minds. What
health inequalities means for AYA is a little less clear but there is little doubt that certain social
determinants, such as economic status, education, employment, housing and transport are
particularly influential in shaping young people’s health. HAGELL and MCKEOWN [3] discuss this in
more depth in chapter 2: “Health inequalities and the social determinants of adolescent health”.
Inequality is intricately linked with obesity and the last decade has seen an alarming rise in
obesity rates in AYA. This increase has led to a surge in the morbidity and health burden of
ever-younger people and has, consequently, become a driving force behind the emergence of
adolescent medicine. The chapter on obesity by BRANDRETH et al. [4] therefore felt essential.
https://doi.org/10.1183/2312508X.10008624 ix