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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Norma Gray, PhD¹, Mary Mays, PhD¹, Jan Jirsak, MS¹, Nicole Koschmann, MFA², and Bradley Rappa, MFA¹. (1) Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 245163, Tucson, AZ 85724-5163, 520-975-7559, ngray@u.arizona.edu, (2) Media Arts, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 245163, Tucson, AZ 85724-5163

Supporting and enhancing health in American Indian communities is a positive approach to prevention. When youth become involved in the health promotion process, the potential for lasting change emerges. This presentation will describe a community and culturally based wellness program that teaches urban American Indian youth video production skills. Participants incorporate information regarding healthy behavior into brief videos or public service announcements that deliver important health messages. Through the process of creating the videos, youth are integrating the message into their lives and creating a reality of healthy behavior. Over the past three years, more than 100 participants, ages 11 - 18, have made approximately 50 public service announcements that have been shown to the public in community meetings and public events. Assessments of change related to program participation are conducted through interviews that take place every 6 months. Preliminary results have shown increases in self-perceived health and decreases in symptoms of depression. These results and youth evaluations of their experience suggest that involvement in creating health focused media production is an effective method of health promotion. Examples of youth videos will be shown.

Learning Objectives: