The first panelist reviewed the major causes of death among adolescents, as well as other indicators of adolescent health. She pointed out that young people are generally getting healthier, but still have high rates of death, injury, suicide, substance abuse, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases; many of the major causes of death during late adolescence and early adulthood are rooted in behavior and are largely preventable. The second panelist discussed the goals of health care for adolescents: to promote and restore physical and emotional well-being; to enhance adolescent development for both adolescents and families; to promote good habits that will continue later in life; and to reduce negative consequences of high-risk behavior. The third panelist presented findings of a study of health insurance problems faced by adolescents and young adults; those at greatest risk for being uninsured are males, poor and near poor, Hispanics, blacks, those whose parents have not completed high school, young adults who do not have a high school diploma, those living in single-parent households, residents of the South and West, and unemployed young adults. Policy challenges and options for adolescent health care insurance programs are noted. The background briefing report elaborates on panelist themes, with consideration given to high-risk behavior, adolescent development, adolescent-family relationships, and the parental role in health care. National adolescent health projects are briefly described. 34 references, 2 tables.