For many teenagers, their eighteenth birthday is an exciting time in their lives. They are finally becoming legal adults and are free from the rules and restrictions created under their parents. But not all teenagers feel the same joy about coming of age. For the hundreds of thousands of children living in foster care in the United States, this newfound freedom brings anxiety and fear. Where will they live after they turn 18? How will they get the medications they may need? How will they find a job with little or no experience? How will they go to school? Aging without foster care is a serious problem among young Americans. Every year, 20,000 children grow old with nowhere to go and are expected to be able to survive on their own (Reilly 728). Young adults face various obstacles as they age out of foster care, such as multiple health issues/issues, homelessness, and finding/keeping a job. One challenge young adults face after aging out of foster care is receiving the health care they need. According to Paula K Jaudes and the American Academy of Pediatrics, children in foster care suffer from various health problems such as "developmental delays, mental retardation, emotional adjustment problems, chronic medical problems, birth defects, substance abuse, and pregnancy" ( 1170). . It is not known why children in care are at greater risk of these problems, but many medical professionals believe this is caused by the circumstances that led to them being placed in care and the experiences they have had while in care (Jaudes 1170). Although they are prone to face more medical problems than adolescents raised in nuclear families, there is a lack of support to care for these adolescents. A study conducted by...... half of the article ......mic Search Premier. Network. January 4, 2014.Reilly, Thom. “Transitioning out of care: Status and outcomes of youth aging out of foster care.” Child Welfare 82.6 (2003): 727-746. MEDLINE. Network. January 4, 2014.Scannapieco, Maria, Kelli Connell-Carrick, and Kirstin Painter. “In Turn: The Challenges Facing Youth Aging Out of Foster Care.” Journal of Child and Adolescent Social Work 24.5 (2007): 423-435. Premier of academic research. Network. January 4, 2014.Stott, Tonia. “Placement Instability and Risky Behaviors of Youth Aging Out of Foster Care.” Journal of Child and Adolescent Social Work 29.1 (2012): 61-83. Premier of academic research. Network. January 4, 2014.Zlotnick, Cheryl, Tammy W. Tarn, and Laurie A. Soman. “Life-Course Mental and Physical Health Outcomes: The Impact of Foster Care on Adulthood.” American Journal of Public Health 102.3 (2012): 534-540. Premier corporate source. Network. December 13. 2013.