Youth Health Literacy Initiative (Next Generation of Health Literate Adults)
A Health Literacy Project of P. I. Advocates International, Inc
&
Aban Institute and Associates, Inc.
"Focusing on the Future" is the theme for this intervention which is designed to address and prevent common errors made and the multiple problems experienced by young African Americans when expressing interests in sexual intercourse. Our organization is developing a youth health literacy project that can be implemented in a set of courses for school curriculums to address the sexual infectious disease predicament that is threatening the health status of teens living in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. In addition to the standard care at public STD clinics (i.e., disease-specific diagnosis and treatment, nurse-delivered condom-use information, and access to free condoms), our intervention provides information, motivation, and skills to increase teens’ ability to use sound judgment and consistently access accurate health information from reliable electronic medical libraries after completing a computer-based health literacy workshop facilitated by PIA.
Although breast cancer in teens is extremely rare, it's a good idea for girls to learn how to perform a breast self-examination (BSE) so they can get used to how their bodies feel normally. After learning what is normal for them, teens can then recognize changes in their breasts. Doctors recommend doing a monthly BSE at the same time each month (like a few days after a girl's period ends, when breasts are less tender). Some kinds of lumps that teenage girls may feel are normal, but a doctor should check out any lump to be sure. If your daughter notices any changes or has any questions, she should talk to her doctor.
STDs
explained
The intervention will continue being delivered by Teen Health Delegates throughout the school year and summer months. We will target African American teens for project facilitators from local schools, based on their ability to quickly establish rapport and effectively communicate with peers about sex, STDs, condom use, HIV/AIDS, and accessing health information on the Internet in a non-judgmental manner. This intervention is designed to foster an informed and healthy culture for future generations by changing attitudes towards health issues and increase health education through the use of technology.
[Parent engagement programming is also a component]
Remember — the eyes of the
future are looking back hoping
you make the right health
decisions today.
Teen Health Delegates will provide information about the variety of teen health resources and motivate teen participants to protect themselves and respond personally to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the DC African American community. The aim of this component is to increase participant’s adaptation to accessing and retrieving accurate health information from electronic medical libraries, especially HIV/AIDS. Additionally, Teen Health Delegates will help participants link web navigation skills to an investment in his/her future and incorporate computer use to access supportive services that will assist in exercising positive judgment to advance healthy outcomes.
Youth Initiative Director
Social Activity Administrator
Lakisha N. Hawkins, MS