Teen Health Week 2019 Webinar Series

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health – Regional Offices’ are excited to announce this series of six adolescent health webinars taking place throughout the month of March to gear up for Teen Health Week (April 1-7)!

Join us as we discuss ways in which health care, education, social service professionals, youth-serving organizations, and youth can support and promote adolescent health. Each free session will feature subject matter experts in adolescent development, preventive care, substance use, mental health, and nutrition. #TeenHealthWeek2019 takes place April 1-7. Learn more about this global initiative encouraging young people to take charge of their physical and mental health by visiting http://teenhealthweek.org/.

This series is hosted in partnership with the HHS, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) - Region 8 Office.

Questions? Please contact Lesley Craig at Lesley.Craig@hhs.gov

Please feel free to share with those in your networks who would be interested in being a part of the discussion.

Adolescent Brain and Social Development: Transitioning Successfully into Adult Health Care

Wednesday, March 13

10:00-11:00 p.m. PT

Adolescence is a time of enormous transition as youth and young adults navigate their way towards adulthood. This webinar will focus on understanding adolescent development and how supportive adults have the power to influence how young people transition into adult health care (from receiving pediatric care to receiving adult care), starting in early adolescence into young adulthood.   

Presented By:

• Audra Bishop, Youth and Young Adult Unit Supervisor, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Margaret Dobson, MD, Michigan Medicine Department of Family Medicine
• Lauren Ranalli, MPH, Director, Adolescent Health Initiative at Michigan Medicine

Intended Audience: Education professionals, social service organizations, community out-of-school time programs, and adults who have mentor-mentee/supportive relationships with young people

Register here

Investigating Tobacco and Nicotine Use in Adolescents: Current Trends in Nicotine-Containing Product Use

Monday, March 18

12:00-1:00 p.m. PT

In 2018, more than 3.6 million middle and high school students reported that they were currently using e-cigarettes (also referred to as ‘vaping’). This webinar will describe current trends in tobacco and nicotine-containing product use among adolescent populations, with a special focus on e-cigarettes: vaping and Juul. It will describe these products and showcase “The Real Cost” Youth E-Cigarette Prevention Campaign that delivers educational messaging focused on de-bunking myths.

Presented By:

• Ryan Coffman, MPH, CHES, Tobacco Policy and Control Program Manager, Philadelphia Department of Public Health
• Emily D’Iorio, MPH, Health Communication Specialist, Center for Tobacco Products, U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Intended Audience: Healthcare providers including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and allied health and social service professionals and youth-involved adults

Register here

Preventive Health Services: Supporting Adolescents in Leading Healthy Lives

Tuesday, March 19

8:00 a.m-9:00 a.m. PT

Clinical preventive services are vital to adolescent health, however, many adolescents do not receive the care that they need. This webinar will highlight key components of preventive care – immunizations/vaccinations, screenings, and counseling/interventions – and will focus on the importance of inclusion of HPV vaccination and mental health.

Presented By:

• Annie-Laurie McRee, DrPH, University of Minnesota Department of Pediatrics
• Christopher Bellonci, MD, Vice President of Policy and Practice, Chief Medical Officer, Judge Baker Children’s Center

Intended Audience: Education professionals, social service organizations, community out-of-school time programs, and adults who have mentor-mentee/supporting relationships with young people

Register here

Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Adolescents: Tools for Prevention, Identification, and Management

Friday, March 22

8:00 a.m-9:00 a.m. PT

This webinar is designed to increase awareness of the opioid crisis and its impact on adolescent populations. It will provide tools for health care and allied professionals to prevent, identify, and manage opioid misuse in adolescent patients. The consequences of opioid misuse in adolescents, current trends, and effective tools for medication management will be discussed.

Presented By:

• Sharon Levy, MD, MPH, Director, Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction Program and Associate Professor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
• Sarah M. Bagley, MD, MSc, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, and Director, CATALYST Clinic, Boston University School of Medicine/Boston Medical Center

Intended Audience: Healthcare providers including physicians, nurse practioners, physician assistants, nurses, and allied health and social service professionals and youth-involved adults

Register here

Addressing Adolescent Mental Health in Schools: Mental Health Curricula and Mindfulness

Tuesday, March 26

11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. PT

Half of all mental health problems begin by age 14 and depression affects nearly one in eight adolescents and young adults each year. This webinar will discuss adolescent mental health and two school-based strategies to promote students’ mental well-being: implementation and integration of mental health curriculum and introducing mindfulness activities in the classroom.

Presented By:

• Amy Molloy, Director, School Mental Health Resource & Training Center, Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc.
• Ali Smith, Executive Director, Holistic Life Foundation, Inc.

Intended Audience: Education professionals (i.e., educators, school-based health professionals, other education/school-based staff)

Register here

Innovative Approaches to Enhancing Adolescent Nutrition: Breakfast After the Bell in Middle and High Schools

Thursday, March 28

10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. PT

Research shows eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. The webinar will discuss the value of eating breakfast and will highlight effective models of the Breakfast After the Bell program in middle and high schools.

Presented By:

• Kelley McDonough, Program Manager, School Breakfast, Center for Best Practices, No Kid Hungry campaign
• John Gallagher, Acting Branch Chief, School Nutrition Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service - Mid-Atlantic Region
• Khalid N. Mumin, EdD, MEd, BA, Superintendent, Chris Celmer, MEd, BBA, Assistant Superintendent of Operations, and Kurt D. Myers, Director of Food Service, Pennsylvania Reading School District

Intended Audience: School-based food and nutrition services personnel and education professionals (i.e., educators, school-based health professionals, education staff)

Register here

Disclaimer: The content and views contained in these presentations do not necessarily represent the official policies of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.