Critical Issues

  Profile of NH Youth
  Girls Health Facts
  Risk and Resiliency
  Bullying
  Youth Suicide
  Body Image
  Positive Youth Development
  Mentoring
  Adolescent Sexuality
  First G-Y-N Appt
  Substance Use
  Adolescent Strategic Plan
  Girls Speak Up! Report

We are pleased to announce the release of our report "Girls Speak Up! Conversations with young women about critical issues in their lives". Over the course of the last year the Center conducted "listening sessions" with girls and young women throughout the state to learn about the critical issues facing them, topics they want to discuss with a provider but may be too embarrassed to bring up, and reasons they delay or refuse seeking care when they need it. Girls Speak up! reports on the major themes shared by the girls and young women and provides recommendations for providers, youth organizations, policy makers, and other caring adults. The Girls Speak Up! project was funded by the Endowment for Health and an Outreach Scholarship Fund from the UNH Vice President for Research and Public Service.

Periodically the Center on Adolescence will highlight recent research on critical issues in adolescent development. Links to other reputable organizations and fact sheets can be found by clicking on the Resources menu above. Below are links to recent publications that have relevance for NH youth.

Reports on Abstinence-Only Education Programs

Sexual and reproductive health are critical aspects of healthy adolescent development. There continues to be significant disagreement about how to best prepare young people to become sexually healthy and responsible adults. Many advocate for comprehensive sexuality education while others demand abstinence-only programs. A recent report completed by Mathematica Policy Research Inc. evaluates the effectiveness of four abstinence-only programs and finds that these programs had no effect on whether youth abstain from sexual activity. The report also finds that youth in these programs are not more likely to have unprotected sex, a concern that has been raised by critics of abstinence programs. Click here to learn more about the research or download the report.

The Society for Adolescent Medicine (SAM) takes the position that schools and health providers should encourage abstinence as a healthy option for adolescents, but that information about abstinence should be offered within comprehensive sexuality education programs. These programs should include complete and accurate information about other aspects of sexual health including access to reproductive health care, sexual orientation, benefits and risks of condoms and contraceptive methods, sexual risks such as sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies, and personal responsibility. Click here to read SAM’s position paper on abstinence-only education policies and programs.

Evaluation of the Reclaiming Futures Initiative:

The Reclaiming Futures Initiative is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that bridges juvenile justice and substance abuse prevention and treatment. New Hampshire is one of the 10 sites funded to implement Reclaiming Futures. The cross-site evaluation of the Initiative reports promising results. Click here to learn more about the Reclaiming Futures Initiative or to read the evaluation report completed by researchers at Chapin Hall.

New Report on Substance Use and Health:

Did you know that NH young adults aged 18-25 report some of the highest rates of substance use and serious psychological distress? A new report from the US Department of Health and Human Services released this spring presents state estimates about substance use and mental health. Click here to access the report and learn how NH compares to other states in the nation.

Please continue to watch this page for information on critical issues for adolescents. Please also feel free to Contact Us directly with topic suggestions or informational needs.

University of New Hampshire - Pettee Hall - 55 College Road - Durham, NH 03824 8/5/09