TAG in Action

Adolescence is a time of rapid change and development, and it is a critical time for intervening to set the course for lifelong health. Most of the nation’s adolescents are generally healthy, but challenges such as mental health, alcohol, tobacco and drug misuse, obesity or violence sideline too many young people.  Given decades of research and best practices, we now know more than ever before about what is needed to ensure healthy outcomes for teens.

The time has come for collective action to promote the health and healthy development of America’s adolescents.  Families, communities, educators, youth leaders, healthcare providers, state and local governments, non-profit organizations and young people all have a role to play in providing the support adolescents need to grow and develop into healthy adults.

Participants at this session will learn about national, state- and locally-based efforts promoting adolescent health and healthy development and are aligned with a new effort to make the health of teens a national priority. Led by the Office of Adolescent Health (OAH) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “Adolescent Health: Think, Act, Grow”, or TAG, is a stakeholder engagement strategy and a call to action to all who care about young people. It offers a set of action-oriented steps developed by a broad group of stakeholders and grounded in science.

A preview of TAG was presented by OAH and the acting U.S. Surgeon General, in partnership with the American Public Health Association, at the APHA Annual Meeting in November 2014.  TAG has attracted the involvement of individuals and state and national organizations around the country.  Join this session to learn more about TAG, and to hear highlights from state and local leaders who are putting TAG into action in their communities.