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September 2005 Monthly Monitor
Advocates for Youth's Youth of Color Initiative
Feature: Entertainment media and the internet *
Media can help in promoting healthy behaviors among young people. Studies show that music, television, and the Internet are central to the lives of young people and that any message--positive or negative--can have an impact on how they perceive the world.[1] In fact, research suggests that youth are likely to hear and personalize sexual health messages they get from entertainment media and the Internet.[2] Entertainment media, in particular, have the power to provide youth with healthy role models and messages in today's sex-saturated environment.
Public education campaigns, too, can provide positive sexual health messages to youth. Studies show that public education campaigns can have a powerful impact on viewers' attitudes and behaviors.
- The seven year long MTV initiative, Fight for Your Rights, includes sexual health information, made-for-TV movies, public service announcements (PSAs), grassroots campaigns, and a Web site. A 2003 study of viewers ages 16 through 24 found that, in the past year and as a result of viewing Fight for Your Rights: Protect Yourself:
- 73 percent of youth said they were more likely to take sexual relationships seriously;
- 73 percent of youth said they were more likely to use condoms if having sex,
- 69 percent were more likely to talk to a boyfriend or girlfriend about safer sex;
- 66 percent were more likely to wait to have sex; and
- 65 percent were more likely to get tested for HIV or other STIs.[3]
- In 1987, Germany launched the Mach's Mit HIV prevention campaign to encourage the use of condoms by all sexually active people. The mass media campaign aired consistently and across time, in spots on television and in cinemas, in print media advertising, and on posters. By 1995 as a result:
- 81 percent of Germans who reported several sex partners in the past year also reported using condoms (up from 54 percent at the campaign's beginning);
- 45 percent of Germans reported always using condoms with a casual partner (up from 23 percent. In 1987).[4]
Public support for such campaigns is widespread. In a poll by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention:
- 86 percent of adults approved of airing HIV and AIDS prevention information on television;
- 73 percent supported condoms being discussed on television.[5]
*This article is largely drawn from one previous publication of Advocates for Youth. Pellettieri B et al, Television and the Internet: Important Sources of Sexual Health Information for Youth [The Facts], Washington, DC: Advocates for Youth, 2004, http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/factsheet/fsmedia.htm
1. Kaiser Family Foundation. Teens and Sex: the Role of Popular TV [Fact Sheet]. Menlo Park, CA: The Foundation, 2001.
2. Kaiser Family Foundation & Seventeen. Birth Control and Protection [SexSmarts Survey]. Menlo Park, CA: The Foundation, July 2004.
3. Kaiser Family Foundation. National Survey of Teens and Young Adults on Sexual Health Public Education Campaigns: Topline Results. Menlo Park, CA: The Foundation, 2003.
4. Bundeszentrale fűr gesundheitliche Aufklärung. Aspects of the National German AIDS Prevention Campaign. [Bonne]: Author, [2000].
5. American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Public Education. Sexuality, contraception, and the media. Pediatrics 2001; 107:191-194.
Funding Opportunities
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation announces available funding for the Health Programming Grants. Eligible health programs will aim to promote health among vulnerable individuals and communities. The foundation has not established maximum or minimum dollar amounts, but rather looks at the amount needed for each specific project, based on scope of work and expected outcomes. Nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for grants under three areas: 1. Health Care Safety Net, 2. Quality of Health Care Services, 3. Health Leadership with an Emphasis on Diversity. The deadline to apply is 12/31/2005. For more information, visit http://www.wkkf.org/Grants/Process.aspx
The Healthy Youth Funding (HY-FUND) database (http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/HYFund/) contains active information about funding opportunities for adolescent and school health programs. These funding opportunities are from federal agencies and the private sector. Each funding opportunity is carefully selected, based on its relevance to adolescent health or to one or more of the eight components of a Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP), as defined by the CDC. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/
Announcements
The First National Conference on Methamphetamine, HIV, and Hepatitis C, "Science and Response in 2005," will take place August 19-20, 2005, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Conference has been designed to provide an arena in which the nation's scientists, providers, and professionals will gather to discuss the intersection between methamphetamines, HIV, and hepatitis C. For more information regarding the program, registration, or accommodations, please visit http://www.harmredux.org/conference2005.html or contact Amanda Whipple at 801.355.0234.
The Iowa Department of Public Health along with HIV and AIDS Training Resources is sponsoring the Fundamentals of HIV Prevention Counseling, September 20-22, 2005, in Des Moines, Iowa. This three-day workshop will demonstrate effective, client-centered, HIV prevention counseling strategies to assist clients in reducing their risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV, hepatitis, and other STIs. Participants will learn how to personalize counseling messages and how to develop realistic and incremental risk reduction plans with their clients. The workshop will also cover HIV testing, post-test counseling, and finding appropriate resources for clients who test positive. For more information and to register for this FREE workshop, please visit http://www.trainres.affiniscape.com/displayconvspecific.cfm?convnbr=1521, or contact Training Resources at 515.309.3315 or by e-mail at info@trainingresources.org
Sociometrics has launched two new online teen pregnancy and HIV prevention science-based resources, designed for those in the HIV and prevention teen pregnancy fields: Teen Pregnancy Research and Practice Resources (Teen Pregnancy RAP) at http://www.socio.com/teenrap.htm and HIV Research and Practice Resources (HIV RAP) at http://www.socio.com/hivrap.htm. Each online source includes a diverse collection of research data, survey instruments, prevention resources, and evaluation related tools. Included in Teen Pregnancy RAP is the Institute for Program Development and Evaluation Online (IPDE Online), a course series that teaches the comprehensive skills necessary to integrate evaluation into the planning and implementation of effective prevention programs. To learn more, please visit http://www.socio.com/ipdeonline.htm
Funding Opportunities
Johnson & Johnson, working in conjunction with the Society for the Arts in Healthcare, seeks to promote the use of arts to enhance the health care experience for patients, their families, and caregivers. Proposals are being sought from health care organizations and/or arts agencies working in partnership on innovative projects to serve patients, their families, and caregivers in health care settings and to promote healing and health. Projects are intended to be broad and innovative and may be located in a variety of settings including clinics, hospitals, hospices, medical schools, public health services, and/or other community health settings. Preference will be given to projects that are new and have the potential for replication. HIV and AIDS is a special emphasis for 2005. In addition to projects serving broad patient populations and health care providers, funds will be reserved for arts programs serving those living with HIV and AIDS, their families, and/or their caregivers. Letters of inquiry are due by August 22, 2005. Applications are due by November 1, 2005. For more information, please contact J&J/SAH Partnership Society for the Arts in Healthcare at 202.299.9770 or visit http://www.thesah.org/grants/Johnson05.html
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announces the availability of funds to develop Interfaith Volunteer Caregiver coalitions of faith congregations to serve people with chronic health conditions, including people living with HIV and AIDS. Coalitions, which may include churches, temples, synagogues, and other groups with religious missions, decide on the focus of their project, depending on the community's needs. Services may include companionship and assistance with transportation, shopping, personal care, chores, and referrals to other relevant community services. Projects funded under this program must agree that no religious proselytizing occur while providing care to participants. There is no deadline to apply. For more information, please contact Kenneth G. Johnson, Director, Faith in Action Health Services Research Center at 914.331.0016.
Announcements
Planned Parenthood of NYC, Inc. is currently recruiting for one full-time Program Coordinator, LES Teen Advocates for the Education and Training Institute, located at 26 Bleecker Street, New York, NY. The Coordinator will be responsible for overall coordination, implementation and supervision of the Teen Advocate program, a peer led initiative designed to reduce adolescent pregnancy in New York's most vulnerable communities (with a focus on the Lower East Side). Requires experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Baccalaureate degree in education or a human services field. Requires one (1) to two (2) years of related and/or applicable experience and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with teens and at-risk youth in targeted communities. Must be experienced in conducting/coordinating sexuality-related presentations in schools, Teen Theater, or other youth serving groups. Bilingual Spanish/English preferred. Interested candidates should e-mail their resume with cover letter and salary requirement to: Human Resources Department at resume@ppnyc.org. Planned Parenthood of New York City, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workplace; women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
The organizers of the 17th Annual National Youth-At-Risk conference, to be held March 5-8, 2006, in Savannah, Georgia, are looking for you to share your valuable knowledge and successful experiences in assisting youth at risk by submitting a proposal. Presenters will share practical programs and useful strategies on how to create safe, healthy, caring, and intellectually empowering educational environments to enhance the well-being of our young people. Sponsored by the College of Education of Georgia Southern University. For more information about registration and the conference, please call (912) 681-5556 or (912) 681-5557 or visit the conference Web site: http://www.nationalyouthatrisk.com
Resources
For additional resources on media/entertainment and youth development, please visit:
Advocates for Youth's The Media Project
http://www.themediaproject.com
How to use television and other media to spark conversations with your children
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/parents/experts/schroeder.htm
Information on how to talk about sexuality with your children
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/transitions/transitions1501.htm
You can help Advocates for Youth with a contribution today. To donate, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/about/donatetoday.htm
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