Young adulthood is a transition time that symbolizes independence and youthful exploration of thoughts, thinking and making decisions (Higley, 2020). This stage in development is, however, paradoxically accompanied by enhanced health risks such as high mortality rates, risky behaviors and onset of chronic conditions. With evidence-based prevention screenings and interventions, advanced practice nurses (APNs) have a unique opportunity to lower these risks and eventually enhance long-term health outcomes in such a vulnerable group.

The Young Adult Health Challenges

Young adulthood is a shift into another, more complicated set of health issues that demand specific attention. Adolescents and young adults have a high proportion of motor vehicle accidents, homicide, mental illnesses, substance abuse, unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Healthcare coverage and utilization are the things that can be subject to gaps among this population, which is why preventive care could be critical. APNs should understand that young adults are in the stage of identifying themselves and that their autonomy and lifestyle choices will influence their future long-term health outcomes.

Universal Preventive Screening Models

Advanced practice nurses can provide a systematic set of screening measures that meet the complex health of young adults. Mental health screening must be one of the priorities as anxiety, depression and newly developed mental illness is at extremely high level at this point. Standardized measures, such as the use of a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), may be beneficial in early detection of mental health problems (Pranckeviciene et al., 2022).

Evidence-Based Intervention Strategies

Evidence-based interventions in young adults can also be conducted through APNs who can apply them based on preferences and lifestyle. Young adults are digital natives, and thus, technology-enhanced interventions based on mobile health applications, text messaging programs and telehealth systems may enhance the use of preventive care. Personalized health education, a reminder of the medication, and follow-up care orchestration can be provided using these platforms.

Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health

APNs should identify and manage the social contexts that have severely affected the health outcomes in young adults. This involves evaluating the stability of housing, education, occupation and availability of resources. APNs can provide links to young adults of community sources, educational resources and social services which eliminate the underlying drivers in health disparities (Beverly, 2023). Special attention should be given to vulnerable groups including LGBTQ youths, racial-ethnic minorities and disadvantaged youth. Culturally competent care that addresses individual challenges and barriers that these groups are facing is also an effective intervention.

Practice Authority and Collaborative Care Models

APNs are in a position to guide interdisciplinary teams dealing with complete young adult care. Integration of mental health professionals, social workers, nutritionists and community health workers generates a panoramic system to deal with multidimensional health needs. The coordination makes transitions among services smooth and preserves continuity of care throughout this period of life that can be quite peripatetic. Full practice authority status for nurse practitioners will allow them to expand in offering holistic care to young adults. States of full practice authority exhibit stronger health system performance, access, and patient outcomes, especially among young adults who tend to have barriers to access to care.

Delivery and Quality Enhancement

Systematic changes are necessary in the delivery of healthcare to achieve the successful implementation of young adult preventive care. Innovative APNs can promote the extension of clinic hours, walk-in and flexible hours to accommodate work and educational schedules of young adults. Young adult-specific care protocols and staff training are created to allow age-appropriate and consistent care delivery. The APN-led quality improvement efforts can monitor the quality outcomes like completion rates in screening, the subsequent follow-up and behavioral changes in health (Htay & Whitehead, 2021). These outcomes educate ongoing improvement plans and prove that multifaceted young adult preventive care is worthwhile.

The clinical competency, patient advocacy and the broad view of advanced practice nurses could be used in measured improvement of the health outcomes of young adults in terms of preventing health damage through preventive screening and treatment. Through comprehensive screening measures, innovative intervention plans, social determinants of health and the establishment of collaborative care models, APNs can ensure that young adults can move through this important developmental stage and set up long-term health and wellbeing. Policy changes advocacy, including the expansion of practice authority is crucial in order to maintain such efforts.