Otherwise, if parent cannot be contacted or unwilling to give consent If emancipated, living apart and financially independent, married or parents. Yes, if 14 y or older or graduated high schoolġ4 y or older or graduated high school, ever married or pregnant If 14 y or older or graduated high school, ever married or pregnant. 10– 14 Although the best clinical practices to support adolescent autonomy should transcend state lines, state law variations make it nearly impossible to provide the privacy protection that is supported by medical societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), to support adolescent autonomy. There are also persisting inconsistencies in privacy and confidentiality protection by state. 9, 10 For example, adolescents in some states can consent to their own healthcare if they have reached a certain age or are parents themselves, and in others, they can only consent to specific types of sensitive healthcare within the domains of reproductive health, sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs), or substance abuse. Long-established state laws are often inconsistent in how they address these conflicting objectives, resulting in varying regulations from state to state. 1– 8 However, parents and guardians also have responsibilities pertaining to care for minor patients.

A rich evidence base demonstrates that adolescents are more likely to seek health care for potentially sensitive issues such as sexuality, mental health, and drug use if they can provide their own consent and be confident that their health information is private.

Age of consent in tennessee