The Boston Teen Health Report is designed and written by teens for teens, and is focused on the health indicators pertinent to youth. The purpose of this report was to use reciprocal, project-based learning as a vehicle to inform, educate, and inspire dialogue among youth regarding the public heath issues that impact their population. The project also provides an opportunity to actively involve students and educators in a process of shared learning.
Phase-I involved 4 high schools students over a 26-week period. Students reviewed data from the Boston Adolescent Health Profile and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and complied the information into an innovative report emphasizing pregnancy, injury, substance use, communicable disease as well as prevention and education advice, and resources for youth services. The first draft was reviewed by several teen focus groups for content, readability and design. The final version was released in August 1999 and is presently being integrated into the Boston Public Schools' health curriculum. The report was disseminated to over 300 school health educators and will reach approximately 18,000 high school students in grades 9 through 12.
Phase-II commenced in February 2000 and will provide opportunities for interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, skill-building lessons in English/language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and instructional technology. The Boston Teen Health Report will also be used to set priorities for policy development and distribution of resources and services. Engaging youth in this type of initiative has been extremely successful, and this presentation will discuss both the process and the outcomes.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to: 1.) identify ways in which community/school project-based learning can be used effectively in health promotion efforts and 2.) identify ways in which opportunities can be created for interdisciplinary skill building, utilizing a health report designed and written by teens
Keywords: Adolescents, Public Health Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Boston Area Health Education Center,
Boston Public Health Commission
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.