Targeting Healthcare Needs Of Teens.

Approximately 22 million teens in the United States, including more than two million in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, are at a higher risk than ever for sexually transmitted diseases, cardiovascular problems, stress related disorders and other issues effecting their health, well being and quality of life. In response to this growing need, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia today announced the launch of Teen Health Connections, a comprehensive media and outreach campaign designed to provide teens with vital information to help them get and stay healthy — emotionally, psychologically and physically.

The campaign was developed by Children’s Hospital’s Craig-Dalsimer Division of Adolescent Medicine and Special Immunology Programs, in conjunction with the Hospital’s Teen Production Team. A multimedia program, Teen Health Connection will reach teens and parents through an informative and interactive web site, getconnected.chop.edu, and the Teen Health Connection hotline, 1-877-423-TEEN. In addition, the campaign will sponsor educational materials, community outreach events, school-based initiative and teen health pep rallies.

“The choices teens make during adolescence can last a lifetime,” said Bret Rudy, M.D., associate division chief in the Craig-Dalsimer Division of Adolescent Medicine at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Our goal is to provide teens with all the information they need to make decisions that lead to healthy, happy lives.”

Physicians and staff from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia worked closely with the Teen Production Team to identify important health issues that challenge teens. This committed group of teens also provided creativity and a youth’s prospective in developing the new campaign. Together with Hospital staff, members of the Teen Production Team appear in the television and radio spots and the 30-minute special addressing the following issues:

— Cardiovascular Health – nutrition, exercise/fitness, stress and smoking
— Sexual Health – sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and AIDS, and teen pregnancy
— Emotional/Psychological Health – depression, self-esteem, peer pressure, relationships and eating disorders
— Healthy Lifestyles – disease and injury prevention, substance abuse, safety and violence

Recognizing that a campaign targeted at youth must include youth in the planning, development and implementation of the project the Teen Production Team was recruited. The Teen Production Team provides creativity, energy and ideas for the broadcast and print materials creating the overall look and feel of the campaign. In exchange for their work team members receive a monthly stipend to cover transportation expenses, meals at monthly production meetings, and a US savings bond upon completion of their commitment to the project.

This exciting opportunity will particularly benefit youth interested in careers in journalism, dramatic arts, television, radio, health education, marketing or public relations. Monthly production sessions held at Children’s Hospital, Pegasus Communications, UPN 57, Power 99, or other production location, give Teen Production Team members hands on learning experiences in media, health education, and other related fields.

“Many aspects of health are important to teens and their parents,” said Dr. Rudy. “Unfortunately, with so much emphasis on the psychological and social aspects of adolescence, medical well-being is often forgotten. That is why we created this campaign, to ensure teens still get regular check ups and immunization, as well as information on how to practice preventive healthcare.”