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Adolescent parents and their children present to health care practitioners as two paediatric patients, each with unique health care needs. Young parents and their children may be at risk for negative health outcomes, not directly as a consequence of maternal age but because of poverty and other inequities in the social determinants of health. The health needs of child and mother are best assessed using a nonjudgmental approach, appropriate screening tools and open questions that address both preventative and acute health issues. The dyad’s co-existing needs may be anticipated as they relate to growth and development, infant and adolescent mental health, nutrition and food security, safety, relationships, parenting, education, sexual health and the facilitation of supports and resources. Care providers who understand adolescent development and integrate medical home elements of a patient-centred ‘medical home’ into their practices are ideally positioned to facilitate positive health outcomes for both mother and child.

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Little is known about pregnancy in underhoused women, possibly because the number of underhoused mothers with babies in Toronto has been significantly underestimated. Using a novel data collection method, it has been found that there are approximately 300 babies being born each year to underhoused women in Toronto. This finding has significant public health implications, as these women are at increased risk of multiple issues related to physical health, mental health, child protection, poverty and safety. This commentary presents a new data collection strategy, highlights the importance of accurate data collection and offers suggestions for supports for this over-looked population.