Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine Endorses NCCHC Position Statement on Racism in Juvenile System

The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine has endorsed NCCHC’s position statement “Addressing Systemic, Structural, and Institutional Racism in the Juvenile Legal System.” The statement was released earlier in 2023.

“With this endorsement, the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine continues its work at the forefront of protecting adolescents,” said Elizabeth Barnert, MD, MPH, SAHM liaison to the NCCHC board of representatives and chair of the NCCHC Juvenile Health Committee. “This groundbreaking position statement provides essential guidance on tackling racism in juvenile legal system and all custodial settings.”

The position statement acknowledges the fundamental role that systemic, structural, and institutional racism play in every aspect of the juvenile legal and recommends steps that correctional health professionals, administrators, and decision-makers can take to address racism in all its forms and to mitigate its impact on the health of court-involved youth and of society.

NCCHC acknowledges that these issues are also true in the broader (i.e., adult) justice system as well. This position statement was developed by NCCHC’s Juvenile Health Committee and is therefore focused on youth in the juvenile legal system.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine endorsed the position statement in July 2023.