Understanding the Needs of Georgia’s Hispanic/Latino Population with Regard to Adolescent Health
Disciplines
Family, Life Course, and Society | Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication | Health Communication | Medicine and Health | Race and Ethnicity
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Georgia’s Department of Public Health’s Adolescent Health and Youth Development (AHYD) Program is based on the Positive Youth Development Approach as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This approach engages youth within their communities, schools and organizations, peer groups, and families in a productive and constructive manner. Overall, the AHYD program aims at preventing HIV, STIs, and pregnancy among all youth. In Georgia, the Hispanic/Latino population has grown to over 10% of our total population. However, adolescent health programs within Georgia have not specifically focused on the cultural differences among the large Hispanic/Latino community. This study takes the existing AHYD programs and seeks to investigate how these program resonate with the Hispanic/Latino communities, including variability in countries of origin. First, a thorough literature review was conducted regarding Hispanic/Latino youth, at risk behaviors, and the cultural competency of current programs. More specifically, the AHYD programs were further analyzed for how they address the unique needs of the Hispanic/Latino communities, especially beyond just translations to Spanish. Finally, recommendations were provided in terms of best practices that are needed to be incorporated into the programming as well as any evaluation measures. As the Hispanic/Latino population continues to increase in Georgia, it becomes more evident that improving the health and well-being of Hispanic/Latino children in critical to the state’s future. While existing state-funded programs have focused on largely oral health, obesity and nutrition, mental health, unintentional injuries, reproductive and sexual health have been ignored, often due to stigma and cultural expectations. More steps must be taking to ensure their safe passage to adulthood across all areas.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Health Promotion and Physical Education
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Evelina Sterling
Understanding the Needs of Georgia’s Hispanic/Latino Population with Regard to Adolescent Health
Georgia’s Department of Public Health’s Adolescent Health and Youth Development (AHYD) Program is based on the Positive Youth Development Approach as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This approach engages youth within their communities, schools and organizations, peer groups, and families in a productive and constructive manner. Overall, the AHYD program aims at preventing HIV, STIs, and pregnancy among all youth. In Georgia, the Hispanic/Latino population has grown to over 10% of our total population. However, adolescent health programs within Georgia have not specifically focused on the cultural differences among the large Hispanic/Latino community. This study takes the existing AHYD programs and seeks to investigate how these program resonate with the Hispanic/Latino communities, including variability in countries of origin. First, a thorough literature review was conducted regarding Hispanic/Latino youth, at risk behaviors, and the cultural competency of current programs. More specifically, the AHYD programs were further analyzed for how they address the unique needs of the Hispanic/Latino communities, especially beyond just translations to Spanish. Finally, recommendations were provided in terms of best practices that are needed to be incorporated into the programming as well as any evaluation measures. As the Hispanic/Latino population continues to increase in Georgia, it becomes more evident that improving the health and well-being of Hispanic/Latino children in critical to the state’s future. While existing state-funded programs have focused on largely oral health, obesity and nutrition, mental health, unintentional injuries, reproductive and sexual health have been ignored, often due to stigma and cultural expectations. More steps must be taking to ensure their safe passage to adulthood across all areas.