JULY 2016
Features: 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System Results
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has released the results of the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). The YRBSS examines six types of health risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability in adolescents. It also measures the prevalence of more chronic health problems facing young adults such as obesity and asthma. In addition to survey results, an overview of methodology, FAQs and a briefing on data and documentation of the survey are provided. Click here to find out more and access the survey results.
RESOURCES
Tools to Promote Gender Responsiveness in HIV Prevention Programs for Women and Girls
The blog AIDS.gov has released a toolkit to help educators and health professionals who are implementing and monitoring HIV programs focused on women and adolescent girls. The toolkit explains why it is important to address gender and gender inequality in HIV programs, and how these gender considerations lead to differentiated health outcomes. The toolkit includes six sections which give background information on gender as a social determinant of health, how to conduct a gender analysis for research purposes and gender disparities. The toolkit also includes a training guide. To access and learn more about the toolkit click here.
The Children’s Health Education Mapping Tool
The School Based Health Alliance provides a mapping tool through which educators, parents and partners can view data on child health disparities in the United States among low income children and adolescents in health care and utilization. After selecting a state, the map will give a variety of options to search by such as “Health Insurance Coverage Indicators,” “Education Indicators,” or “Demographic and Socioeconomic Indicators,” to search by. Under each of these header sections, several specific search options are provided such as, “Teen Birth Rate,” and “Chlamydia Rate.” Once selected, the map will show where those populations are most present within the state. Access the mapping tool here.
LGBTQ Rights, a Human Rights Perspective Curriculum
The United States Human Rights Network provides a variety of advocacy, education and policy resources free of charge, including an LGBTQ Rights curriculum. This curriculum is intended for teachers to introduce a thoughtful examination and discussion among high school students around LGBTQ rights and issues. Focused within the context of human rights at an international level, as well as the local level this curriculum includes nine activities, with an introduction and additional linkages to other resources for support material. View the curriculum and find out more here.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Is Your Parent Engagement Authentic or Compliant?
This article from Education Week examines the need for more effective parent engagement and the ways in which it can be implemented authentically. The article also addresses the need for cultural context when it comes to parent engagement and the importance of training educators about cultural differences within families. In addition to cultural respectfulness, the article goes on to discuss ways in which exemplary practices can be implemented to encourage families to get involved. The piece addresses community engagement, as well as strategies for furthering long term collaboration between the classroom and the family/community sphere. Read the article here.
HIV Info Graphic 2016
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an updated infographic showing statistics for the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among youth in United States as of 2016. This simple yet informative form breaks down the rates of HIV in young people by ethnicity and gender. It also includes several statistics on youth risk behavior and provides linkages to other resources for further information. This data comes from the newly released Youth Risk Behavior Survey Analysis from 2015. Find the infographic here.
New White Paper: Building a Foundation for Sexual Health Is a K–12 Endeavor: Evidence Underpinning the National Sexuality Education Standards
The Future of Sex Education (FoSE) has recently published this white paper on creating a foundation for sexual health with the evidence underpinning the National Sexuality Education Standards (NSES). This paper defines the NSES, its objectives and the ways that it can be implemented in the classroom. The paper also outlines the benefits of sexual health education for children and youth in grades kindergarten-12 and the ways in which NSES can be mapped to classroom curricula. The standards cover topics such as bullying, consent, gender equality and LGBTQ inclusivity. To read the paper click here.
CAPACITY BUILDING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Say It with Research: 4 Ways to Deliver Effective STD Messaging for Youth
ETR examines the need for educators to effectively teach youth about STDs in ways that are effective and responsive. In this article they present four educational strategies that are easy to apply. In addition to providing information on STDs and youth, this article also supports implementation of STDs prevention and classroom management. The key concepts that ETR elaborates include: the importance of identifying key concepts, focusing on testing and not symptoms, as well as avoiding fear-based tactics. To read the article and access additional tips for STDs education click here
Registration Open for Teens, Health and Technology Webinar
The American School Health Association (ASHA) is hosting a webinar on July 19, 2016 from 3:00 PM-4:00 PM EST titled: “Teens, Health and Technology-How Teens Search for Health Information in the Digital Age.” This hour long webinar is aimed at addressing how young people access health information and resources through electronic means on their computers or phones. The webinar is intended for school health professionals and educators and provides them with tools and information they can use to reach out to young people navigating the web for accurate and quality health information. Follow the link to register and learn more about the webinar.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Training Tools for Healthy Schools e-Learning Series: School Health Index a Self-Assessment and Planning Guide
The CDC’s Healthy Schools Program has converted three of their “Promoting Health and Academic Success” (PHAS) tools into online modules for educators. These modules are self-directed and are approximately an hour and a half total in length. The modules aim to assist school staff in conducting the School Health Index for their school and assess their current policies and program. These videos begin by defining what the School Health Index is, learning the process of self-assessment, conducting a School Health Index assessment meeting and developing a school health improvement plan. Find the modules here.
HHS TPP conference
DASH Partner Meeting: If you will be at the conference, you will be expected to attend and participate in this session TUESDAY, July 19th from 2:30-5:30. Bring yourselves and an open mind! This is a unique opportunity to spend some time doing a deep dive on two approaches with your job-alikes from across the country. Come prepared to discuss lingering questions, challenges, and resource needs. Also feel free to bring examples of your successes to share with others.
Individual TA: Do you need additional 1-on-1 time with the NGOs? Please reach out to identify some time during the conference to touch base. Advocates staff is more than happy to meet over lunch, coffee, or in the evenings to discuss Year 4 plans and ESHE and/ or Policy concerns.
SEA get-together: Following the DASH Partners Meeting, the SEA NGOs would like to invite you to join us at the Lobby Bar in the Hilton Baltimore. We will be there from around 6-8 PM and invite you to stop by to discuss Year 4 activities, catch up with us and your “job-alikes”, or just to say hello! This gathering is totally optional and informal—we just want to take advantage of everyone being in the same place at one time.
This document was made possible by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health (CDC-DASH) under cooperative agreement 1UP87PS004154. The contents do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To submit an article, announcement, or resource for the School Health Equity Newsletter, please email Lauren Ainsworth at lauren@advocatesforyouth.org
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