Effective allocation of scarce healthcare resources involves complex ethical and technical evaluations, with decision makers sometimes utilizing a societal perspective in health technology assessment (HTA). This study aimed to explore societal perspectives on healthcare resource allocation within Australia’s HTA framework, focusing on the valuation of health gains for children and young people (CYP) compared to adults.

In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with ten young people (aged 15–17) and twenty adults between October 2021 and April 2022. Participants were purposively sampled for diverse characteristics and completed an online information survey prior to the interviews, introducing relevant concepts. Interviews were analyzed using inductive coding, categorization, and constant comparison.

Participants expressed nuanced perspectives on HTA processes, generally opposing numeric weighting and preferring a deliberative approach based on committee judgment. Although most participants acknowledged some moral relevance of CYP status in HTA, opinions varied on its operationalization. A sizable minority, including those with extensive health system experience, did not view CYP status as morally relevant, though some noted specific service gaps for CYP (e.g., mental health care, pain management). Participants identified a spectrum of factors, both person-centered and intervention related, that often surpassed the relevance of CYP status, including addressing severity, unmet needs, prevention, and early intervention, with an emphasis on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Our findings highlight the inherent challenges in navigating the complexities of HTA and the critical need for HTA frameworks to be adaptable and inclusive, effectively integrating societal preferences to enhance healthcare policy’s equity and responsiveness.

To describe the encounters with sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth in healthcare based on the existing research.

The development of sexual orientation and gender identity can create challenges in an SGM youth’s life, and they may need support from health professionals. Heteronormativity has been recognised as a barrier to the identification of diversity in sexuality and gender, and no previous literature review has studied heteronormativity thoroughly.

An integrative review following Whittemore and Knafl was conducted. A literature search was systematically undertaken in six databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Eric, and Academic Search Premier). Finally, 18 research articles were included. Data were analysed deductively with the theoretical framework from Stevi Jackson’s (2006) article to understand the role of heteronormativity in the healthcare of SGM youth.

The encounters with SGM youth consisted of two simultaneous themes. Heteronormative care included three elements: (1) the effect of heteronormativity on health professionals’ competence to work with SGM youth, (2) false assumptions about SGM youth, and (3) the influence of heteronormativity on encounters with SGM youth. Diversity-affirming care included two elements: (4) the considerateness of health professionals towards SGM youth and (5) inclusive care of SGM youth.

This review summarised how SGM youth were encountered in healthcare and how heteronormativity was affecting their healthcare. Furthermore, this review identified elements that supported diversity-affirming care. With diversity-affirming care, SGM youth may access the information and support they need from healthcare. Further research is needed about how diversity-affirming care can be applied to the healthcare of SGM youth and how elements of heteronormative care are occurring globally in the healthcare of SGM youth. The perceptions of transgender and other gender minority youth were under-represented in the studies and research needs to focus more on how they are encountered in healthcare.