This section explains what kinds of medical decisions young people can make on your own. In general, you don’t have to be an adult to give consent (permission) for medical treatment. The law is not based on age, but on whether you are “capable” of understanding your medical situation. You also have a right to confidentiality (keeping the information private). However, even though young people can often make their own medical decisions, it is important to know the exceptions to confidentiality.
In this section: