Purpose

Runaway and homeless youth (RHY) are among the most vulnerable youth globally. The United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child (UNCRC) states that all children have the right to the highest level of health, and that universal healthcare rights are afforded to RHY and all children. Social determinants of health are universal factors that frame the experiences of RHY as facilitators or barriers for accessing healthcare. The purpose of this paper is to describe practical best approaches, and policy recommendations, for improving clinical care systems to make healthcare more accessible to RHY.

Approach

We describe and apply an adapted socio-ecological framework that includes social determinants of health (SDH) specific to RHY around the globe.

Findings

There are multiple and complex factors in the social ecology of RHY that determine their chances of accessing healthcare. While many intrapersonal reasons for homelessness are the same globally, systems of care vary by country and by developing/developed country status. Structurally-competent care systems offer a new lens for how to best provide care to RHY to take into account SDH and the unique needs of RHY.

Originality/value

The UNCRC serves as a moral guide and frame of universal child healthcare provision for countries around the world. We uniquely argue for UNCRC, tailored-SDH, and care delivered in a structurally-competent manner to make a moral case for both physical and mental health for all runaway and homeless youth.