Fear about lack of confidentiality has been highlighted as one of the major reasons for young people's reluctance to seek help from health professionals.

In research carried out for Walk the Talk, young people reported that a perceived lack of confidentiality was the single most important barrier, especially relating to sexual health or drugs and alcohol advice.

Young people's concerns also included anxiety about being recognised by receptionists – a particular worry for those living in smaller communities.

Another recent study, by Brook Advisory Centres, found young people are:

• concerned that health professionals may share sensitive information with their parents without consent, whether deliberately or inadvertently
• worried that confidential mail might be intercepted by their parents.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that an acceptable health service for young people will have policies and procedures that guarantee confidentiality. Health care professionals are strongly encouraged to:

• prominently display their confidentiality policies
• consider how to improve communication with young people who might have concerns about their privacy.

For further information, including a Confidentiality checklist to help review and develop confidentiality in your service, please visit our Improve your service pages. And for examples of good practice in promoting confidentiality, please visit Case studies.