Understanding the vital link between social determinants of health and environmental justice By Angela Zhong August 29, 2024 Growing up in a city economically tethered to the WTI oil price, I dismissed natural disasters and environmental health concerns as part … Read More
Adolescent Health
Grab & Go Birth Control: The Opill Revolution
Over-the-counter birth control is a game changer but it’s up to all of us to make sure access remains unrestricted for everyone. By Lilith Breazeale By Mandy Williams By Deb Coffy August 6, 2024 Thrivology Youth Leaders is a diverse … Read More
Adolescent Health
Trauma-Informed Needs to Be the Rule, Not the Exception
Finding the right health care provider feels a lot like dating—trial and error, dealbreakers, and all. But after my recent experience, I’ve realized that trauma-informed care is a non-negotiable. Here’s how to find a provider who truly listens and supports … Read More
Adolescent Health
In/Tend Incubator Hub Office Hours
Are you passionate about making positive change in adolescent sexual and reproductive health? Interested in digging deep into the world of human-centered design to address real-world challenges? If this sounds like something you’d like to do, then we have an … Read More
Adolescent Health
Celebrating AANHPI Month
Cultural Experiences, Shared Identities, and Everything, Everywhere, All At Once By April “Kayuri” Lat, MS MPP By Patricia Natalie, MA May 28, 2024 C heck out this video blog post, where April and Patricia discuss their shared identities as Southeast … Read More
Adolescent Health
The Not-So-Top-Secret Mission to Improve Adolescent Health Outcomes
Dive deep into county-level data to identify factors contributing to the sexual and reproductive health outcomes of young people in your community! By Deborah Chilcoat, MEd May 16, 2024 Here is your mission, should you choose to accept it: Dive … Read More
Adolescent Health
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program’s Adolescent Sexual Health Innovation Hubs Showcase
We’re thrilled to unveil Healthy Teen Network’s Innovation Incubator Hub, In/Tend—funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Population Affairs. We are one of six organizations newly funded to support teams that will develop, refine, and … Read More
Adolescent Health
Stay in the Loop with our Shareable National Observances Calendar
Stay up to date with our 2024 adolescent health national observances Google calendar! By Mariah Cowsert January 25, 2024 When I first started working at Healthy Teen Network—now 3 years ago, almost to the day!—and started creating content for our … Read More
Adolescent Health
Why all Menstruating Students Deserve Dignified Self-Care
Young people—and all of us, really—deserve to live in a world that celebrates and does not stigmatize the topic of menstrual health and human growth. By Sasha Grenier, MPH, CHES December 14, 2023 This October, I attended the #HealthyTeen23 conference … Read More
Adolescent Health
Menstrual Dignity for Students Program to Receive 2023 Healthy Teen Network #StandingStrong Award
In recognition of the Program’s efforts to ensure all menstruating students have the opportunity for safe, dignified self-care September 13, 2023 Our nation’s young people face continued and escalating attacks on their sexual and reproductive health rights, driven by ideology … Read More
Adolescent Health
Bring Your Amazing Ideas and Work to #HealthyTeen23
How are you taking care and taking action in 2023? February 17, 2023 This one is for you—the caregivers, teachers, and changemakers who give it all for today’s youth and the generations yet to come. This one is for you—the … Read More
Adolescent Health
Supporting Youth Safety and Wellness in Sex Ed
Resources and information from a recent True You Maryland training to help support the mental health and safety of your students. By Allison Tomai Felsen January 5, 2023 Talking about sexuality in the classroom can be awkward! We’ve all been … Read More
Adolescent Health
Connecting Rural Youth to Sexual and Reproductive Health
When looking at sexual and reproductive health access across America, geography matters. And we see rural communities facing bigger gaps in access to services and comprehensive sex education. By Mackenzie Piper, MPH, CHES August 18, 2022 True You Maryland brings … Read More
Adolescent Health
Would you like FRIES with that?
Sexting and digital consent are important topics to discuss with young people By Allison Tomai Felsen February 17, 2022 A study published in 2018 by JAMA Pediatrics found that sexting is becoming a more common practice among youth: about 1 … Read More
Adolescent Health
Get the Shot(s): HPV Vaccine Resources for Parents
HPV vaccine resources to break down science with humor and honest answers By Gina Desiderio January 20, 2022 When it’s time for their annual physical, the first question my kids ask me is if they have to get a shot. … Read More
Adolescent Health
We Found Love in a COVID Place
Alexa, play We Found Love by Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris By Mariah Cowsert January 13, 2022 It all started with a message on a dating app. Once our conversations got longer, we moved from messaging in the app to texting … Read More
Adolescent Health
Say Hello to Sam!
Join us in welcoming Sam to the Healthy Teen Network family! By Deborah Chilcoat, MEd September 2, 2021 How is it possible that rays of sunshine actually radiate through my monitor when I have Zoom meetings with our newest staff … Read More
Adolescent Health
On and Off the Field: How Title IX Protects the Rights of All Young People
Anyone who works in schools, or with students in other educational settings, can benefit from learning more about Title IX protections. By Mariah Cowsert June 24, 2021 When you hear “Title IX,” your mind likely goes first to sports. Indeed, … Read More
Adolescent Health
I’m Just a Bill: The Untold Story
I’m Just a Bill covers how a legislative bill makes its way to law. As a public policy advocacy practitioner for over 30 years, let me just say that how a bill becomes a law is more complicated than the … Read More
Adolescent Health
Adolescents & the COVID-19 Vaccine
Well visits are a good venue for routine and COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as a variety of important screenings and assessments May 19, 2021 With the decline in routine pediatric immunizations and well-child visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, Healthy Teen … Read More
Adolescent Health
10 Ways to Help Young People Become Good Sexual Citizens: How Myth Busting and Youth Empowerment Increases Safety
Following these steps is a really effective way to guide young people towards becoming good sexual citizens. By Ellen Friedrichs, MA March 12, 2021 Recently, I was Zoom teaching a college class, and I asked my students to share any … Read More
Adolescent Health
Welcome, Mariah!
Mariah brings an artistic lens to nonprofit communications, along with a passion for inclusive health education and access. January 26, 2021 We are just so excited to announce our newest staff member: Mariah Cowsert joins Gina and Allison in our Communications department. Mariah Cowsert Mariah … Read More
Adolescent Health
Welcome, Tonyé Fohsta-Lynch!
Tonyé brings a lot of energy, a commitment to centering youth voices, and multiple dimensions to her work. January 12, 2021 We are stoked to welcome Tonyé Fohsta-Lynch as our newest staff member. Tonyé Fohsta-Lynch Situated in the Capacity Building and Evaluation … Read More
Adolescent Health
ReSHAPING Launches Partnership with Healthy Teen Network and New Website
Looking for the latest research on sexual health and adolescent parents in out of home care? We have it for you on ReSHAPING’s brand new website. By Claudette Grinnell-Davis, PhD, MS, MSW By Bryn King, PhD, MSW October 27, 2020 … Read More
Adolescent Health
What’s the Deal with Porn?
We know young people are watching porn. But, what are they learning from it? How can sex ed equip young people to make informed decisions about the porn they watch? August 27, 2020 Bring up pornography in any conversation, and … Read More
Adolescent Health
Help Young People Make a Game Plan for Their Health with Volt20
We wanted to create a virtual tool that educators and students love. The goal is to help young people create a plan for a healthy future. March 26, 2020 Looking for a way to engage the young people you work … Read More
Adolescent Health
Let’s See: Pulse Short-Term Impact Results
Here’s what we found from our six-week short term follow-up survey. By Elizabeth Cook, Research Scientist from Child Trends By Nicholas Sufrinko By Milagros Garrido, MS, PMP March 6, 2020 From 2016 to 2019, Child Trends conducted a randomized control … Read More
Adolescent Health
Healthy Teen Network Chosen as a Finalist for the Amazon Alexa EdTech Skills Challenge
We are excited to be chosen as a finalist for the Amazon Alexa EdTech Skills Challenge, even though the 2020 SXSW Edu conference has been postponed. By Milagros Garrido, MS, PMP By Genevieve Martínez García, PhD February 28, 2020 Update, … Read More
Adolescent Health
It’s time for sexual health to get a little bit kinky.
Here are some of the things we have learned from having conversations about sexual health with young people. Washington, DC’s premier leather, kink, and fetish event known as “Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend (MAL)” concluded last Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend … Read More
Adolescent Health
Why do we NEED to talk about technology and sexuality?
Adolescent Health
This Earth Day, Consider a Green Sex Ed
Let’s celebrate this Earth Dat with a green sex ed — a holistic appproach to well-being outcomes in addition to risk reduction. By Nicholas Sufrinko April 22, 2019 I have long maintained that sex education in the United States is too … Read More
Adolescent Health
The Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education Are Here!
The Sex Education Collaborative is delighted to share their first product to help existing sex education teachers become more effective. By Valerie Sedivy, PhD April 15, 2019 Have you ever wondered why we have student standards for sex education in schools, … Read More
Adolescent Health
Because Where We Learn Matters
Today is National Healthy Schools Day, sponsored by Healthy Schools Network to raise awareness of issues of environmental health at school. April 2, 2019 Today is National Healthy Schools Day, sponsored by Healthy Schools Network to raise awareness of issues of environmental … Read More
Adolescent Health
Sexual & Reproductive Health Is a Social Justice Issue with Public Health Impacts #NPHW19
#NPHW19 is calling for conversations! We believe that adolescent sexual and reproductive health is a social justice issue with public health impacts. March 28, 2019 Next week is National Public Health Week 2019, or #NPHW19, sponsored by the American Public Health … Read More
Adolescent Health
How to Prioritize Your Mental Health in College: Tips from a Senior
College can sometimes be an overwhelming experience. Arsha Pinson is sharing her tips on prioritizing mental health as an undergrad senior. By Arsha Pinson March 21, 2019 I never imagined how fun but challenging college would be, but now being in my … Read More
Adolescent Health
5 Tips to Help Your Child Set Good Healthcare Habits
The habits we develop when we’re young set the tone for our habits as adults. Preventative healthcare could save a lot of heartache. By Alex Eisler March 14, 2019 The habits we develop when we’re young set the tone for our … Read More
Adolescent Health
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a common yet often misunderstood disease. Read more about the cause, the symptoms, the pressing issues, and what we can do. By Allison Tomai Felsen March 8, 2019 Endometriosis, often referred to as “endo,” is a common health … Read More
Adolescent Health
3 Ways to Talk about Consent with Your Teen
Any good sex talk between parent and teen must include a discussion about sexual consent. Here are three tips for a talk on consent. By Genevieve Martínez García, PhD February 28, 2019 Any good sex talk between parent and teen … Read More
Adolescent Health
The foundation of sex education? Enthusiastic consent.
Alison Machlin is sharing the use of enthuasiatic content in sex education, specifically, what it means to give and get consent for sexual activity. By Alison Macklin February 11, 2019 We all want people to have consensual and pleasurable sex. … Read More
Adolescent Health
Let’s Get Comfortable…the Sex Positive Revolution is Here to Stay
We hope to start learning, talking about, and supporting children who are practicing sex positivity. This past conference, we launched the #HealthyTeen18 Design Challenge, which focused on how we can flip the script and start thinking—and talking—about pleasure, sexuality, and … Read More
Adolescent Health
Huber Appointment to HHS Threatens the Health and Well-Being of Our Nation’s Young People
We join our national colleagues in opposing this appointment. By Gina Desiderio June 9, 2017 A more just and equitable world supports and empowers all young people to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. All young people deserve respect, appreciation, and acceptance … Read More
Adolescent Health
Helping Pregnant and Parenting Teens Find Housing
We compiled these resources that could be useful for young people who are pregnant and experiencing homelessness in the United States. April 18, 2018 In 2002, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in the U.S. Department of Justice … Read More
Adolescent Health
What’s in a Ribbon?
Do we need a ribbon to help support the cause of teen pregnancy prevention and supporting pregnant and parenting teens? Will a pervasive symbol help motivate people to support our cause? By Gina Desiderio February 8, 2012 Last week, the … Read More
Adolescent Health
5 Ways to Become an Approachable Parent: Positive Parenting for Teen Sexual Health
A list of things parents can do to create an environment in which their teen feels comfortable coming to them with questions about sex! By Guest Author Sheila Overton, M.D., FACOG January 14, 2012 One of the top questions I’ve … Read More