This report is part one of three volumes to be published by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) in response to the request of members of Congress to review the physical, emotional, and behavioral health status of contemporary U.S. adolescents, including adolescents in groups who might be more likely to be in special need of health-related interventions. These groups include adolescents living in poverty, those from racial and ethnic minority groups, and those living in rural areas. The report identifies risk and protective factors for adolescent health problems and integrates national data in order to understand the clustering of specific adolescent problems. It also evaluates options in the organization of health services and technologies available to adolescents, including accessibility and financing. Options in the conduct of national health surveys to improve collection of adolescent health statistics are assessed, and gaps in research on the health and behavior of adolescents are identified. This volume summarizes the findings of OTA's report and presents the policy options arising from OTA's analysis. First it presents the major findings and policy options. Then it summarizes specific findings and additional policy options from chapters in volumes two and three of the report. Finally, it presents a discussion of selected barriers to and opportunities for change. A table of contents listing the chapters and appendices in volumes two and three is included in the appendix. (LLL)