Oral

High school environments have an impact on young people’s health and academic success. With proper tools and guidance, high school students have the potential to develop into public health champions on their campuses. Engaging high school youth as public health champions can accomplish multiple goals: youth can learn about public health, become catalysts for system change at their schools, and lead research on public health issues that adults may overlook. Youth can uncover a perspective through a youth lens that can inform more appropriate interventions. During this session, young public health champions and their adult allies will discuss how young people can be involved in public health programming, participatory research, and action planning. Session attendees will have the opportunity to weigh the value and challenges of developing a young generation of public health leaders.

Session Objectives: Describe the need for youth engagement in the sustainability of school-based health centers. Analyze the value, challenges, and process of engaging youth as public health champions and the cascading mentorship model. Identify at least two ways school-based health centers cultivate future public health champions.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)