Breaking down the silos to address youth health disparities: A social justice imperative

Youth of color experience significantly higher prevalence of health disparities with regard to infectious disease, chronic health conditions, childhood injury, developmental delays, social/emotional and behavioral problems, as well as exposure to violence. Further, these same students experience an education system that is inequitable in providing safe schools, experienced and credentialed teachers, resources and funding. High poverty/high minority schools often are in inadequate rundown facilities; receive lower per-pupil spending allocations; have fewer advanced placement courses; use less credentialed/qualified teachers who are absent more often; and lack school safety. As we approach a new decade of Healthy People 2020 Objectives, our nation can no longer ignore the social justice imperative for health departments, local health care providers and local education agencies to break down silos to ensure that the health, education and developmental needs of all youth -- particularly minority youth -- are addressed. This presentation will outline the results of CDC-sponsored Youth Disparities Summit that engaged 20+ of the nation's experts in research, policy and practice related to health and education inequities in minority youth. During the two-day summit, experts developed policy and practice recommendations for addressing youth disparities in education, health care, health promotion, and chronic disease prevention (e.g. overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, tobacco, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted disease). Policies needed at the school, district and state levels and practical recommendations for breaking down silos among education, health service, and public/school sectors, as well as next steps for implementing the policies, also will be presented.