Adolescent medicine is the branch of medicine that specializes in treating adolescents and youths. An adolescent medicine physician focuses on the problems of patients who have reached puberty and are in adolescence. This physician specializes in the care of adolescents, including illness, substance abuse prevention and counseling, psychosocial disorders (depression and self-esteem problems, eating disorders), reproductive health, and sexuality issues.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Washington, D.C. has 33 practicing adolescent medicine doctor in Washington.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Washington, D.C. has a population of 550,521. Of this population, 110,240 are under the age of 18 and 66,591 are at or above the age of 65.