The Adolescent Sexual
Health Symposium:
What we did and what we
learned
February 2-3, 2009
New York City, New York
Purpose
To learn about and explore the latest research
and best practices regarding the promotion of
the optimal sexual health of young people
To bring together experts in the field with
practitioners, policy makers, emerging leaders,
health advocates, and youth to inform future
DOH initiatives
Symposium Themes

Current trends in adolescent sexual behavior

Disparities in access to adolescent sexual
health services, information, and education

Ecological influences: environments,
relationships and adolescent sexual health

New information and communication
technologies
Panel of Experts

Claire Brindis, UCSF

Sarah Brown, National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy

Michael Carerra, Childrens Aid Society

Alwyn Cohall, Harlem Health Promotion Center, Columbia University

Angela Diaz, Mt. Sinai Adolescent Health Center

Ralph DiClemente, Emory University

Douglas Kirby, ETR Associates

Jonathan Klein, UR-Division of Adolescent Medicine

Deborah Levine, Internet Sexuality Information Services

Guillermo Prado, University of Miami

John Santelli, Columbia University
Other Stakeholders







State Agencies
Advocacy Groups
National Funders
NYC agencies
Providers
Other
Youth
Technology
“Technology is a gift to public
health”
- Sarah Brown




Vital to youth
Potential exploding
Can help address racial/ethnic disparities
Emerging, innovative strategies:
NOT evidence-based
ISIS-Inc: Deb Levine

Internet Sexuality Information Services:
www.isis-inc.org

SexInfo

InSPOT
Harlem Health Promotion
Center: Alwyn Cohall

Use technology to:




Make use of waiting time
Improve assessment
Educate patients
Reach partners
Clinical Services & Service
Delivery




Break down silos
Holistic and youth-friendly
Training
Funding
SILOS: Ralph DiClemente
The time for incremental changes has
passed. A bold and innovative initiative is
needed. Ultimately, political and public
health resolve and leadership to is needed
to create an integrated continuum of
sexual health services and effective
delivery systems to eliminate racial
disparities.
Holistic, Youth-Friendly
Services

Move beyond a problem focus; help young
people build skills

Tailor services to youth

Understand the familial and cultural context
Training
“Young people see their worth in
that worker’s eyes.”
- Michael Carrera
Funding
We must always remember to
address funding. “Keep talking
about money.”
- Sarah Brown
Information, Education, &
Curriculum-Based Programs
Media / awareness campaigns
 School-based education
 Effective Programming

Media / Awareness Campaigns
Engage youth
 Go positive—and fun!
 Target messages
 Use technology, but be smart
about it

School-Based Education
School-based health clinics
 Gay/Straight Alliances
 Service-Learning
 Comprehensive sexual health
education

Curriculum-Based
Programming




17 Characteristics of Effective Programs
http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/ea2007/
characteristics.pdf
One size will not fit all
Implement with fidelity
Positive content; broad perspective
Positive Youth Development
Programs can’t do it all.



Engage youth
Engage families
Engage communities
Youth
Involve young people in decisionmaking roles at every level



Design
Implementation
Evaluation
Families





Connectedness is protective
Broad definition of “family”
Some parents can become sexperts!
High aspirations
Latino and African American family strength
Communities



Alignment
Opportunities for contribution
Supportive relationships with adults
Advocacy
Adolescent sexual health poster designed by Kristy C. Jerkins and Kruti Sheth, based on
NYS DOH Adolescent Sexual Health Working Groups definition of sexual health
Additional Resources




Using Media and Technology to Improve Sexual Health Outcomes for
Youth (2010) - Alwyn Cohall, MD, demonstrates that in clinical practice,
using youth-friendly technology can lead to far better outcomes for
adolescent sexual health.
Using New Media to Promote Adolescent Sexual Health (2009)
Deb Levine describes some of the new media and communications
technologies that have become popular in recent years, together with case
examples demonstrating how these technologies are being used for sexual
and reproductive health.
Adolescent STI/HIV Prevention Programs: What Works for Teens?
(2010) Jessica M. Sales and Ralph J. DiClemente examine why STI rates
are so high among adolescents and explore strategies that program
providers can use to help adolescents effectively reduce their risk.
A New Vision for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (2009)
John S. Santelli and Amy T. Schalet review historical and cultural
contexts—particularly adult attitudes toward adolescent sexuality—to point
us toward healthier outcomes in the United States.