Had I written this reprise 6 months ago, I probably would have lamented the lack of progress in addressing the issues I raised in the article in May 19911 about the need to focus efforts on the "forgotten half" of youth. Members of this group, roughly 17 through 25 years of age, are still in a rapidly developing period of life. Their health care needs are poorly met, and their health is even more closely related to social factors, ie, education, jobs, minority status, as well as personal characteristics, than is the case for younger groups.
However, momentum for change was building in this country during these 2 years. As part of this momentum, a new president was elected who promised change. At the economic summit in mid-December, President-elect Clinton specifically drew attention to the interrelated needs of youth and the necessity that we as a nation address them