Adolescent and School Health

Portrait Series

The #OldSchoolDASH Portrait Series highlights the work of CDC staff and external partners to protect teen health.

Dr. Mermin

Dr. Jonathan Mermin, CDC

I want young people to know that we value them. Everything we do is to make sure that HIV/AIDS isnâ€™t part of their future. I want parents and educators to know we support them as they raise young people into adulthood healthy and safe. â€“ Dr. Kathleen Ethier, CDC

Dr. Kathleen Ethier, CDC

My advice to teens is to find a trusted adult at home, at school, or in the community that you can talk to and ask questions about HIV/AIDS. You are not alone and don’t have to figure out everything by yourself. – Carmen Ashley, CDC

Carmen Ashley, CDC

Dr. Stephen Banspach, CDC: Thinking about DASH's contribution to this field over the past 30 years, I believe our strength has been advancing evidence-based prevention from multiple angles: schools, family, peers, community. All of these aspects of a young person's life require attention because they all influence health.

Dr. Stephen Banspach, CDC

Dr. Lisa Barrios, CDC: I 'm all about translating science into practical guidance, which is why - after more than 20 years with DASH-I am still so proud of the tools DASH developed that schools can use to support the health of their students.

Dr. Lisa Barrios, CDC

I am grateful for the opportunity to work on the first study that showed a decrease in chlamydia associated with a school-based screening programâ€”an important advancement for teen health. â€“ Richard Dunville, CDC

Richard Dunville, CDC

Elizabeth Haller, CDC: I've always been passionate about educating teachers and administrators to be a voice of adolescent health. Reflecting back on the past 14 years with DASH, one of the accomplishments I 'm most proud of is advancing the whole Community Whole Child Whole School Model. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch it work.

Elizabeth Haller, CDC

One of the most important advancements I have seen while working in DASH over 26 years is that we have identified the characteristics that make health education interventions effective. We have learned what works and what needs improvement. - Pete Hunt, CDC

Pete Hunt, CDC

My advice? Become the trusted adult that you would have wanted to talk with when you were a teen - Dr. John Moore, CDC

Dr. John Moore, CDC

Investing in teen health programs in schools is important because healthy students = healthy learners = healthy schools. - Terry Parker, CDC

Terry Parker, CDC

There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the results from DASH’s work with the YRBS and School Health Profiles. These surveys help inform curriculum, policy, and program design to ensure teens today becomes healthier, happier, and more successful – Shari Shanklin, CDC

Shari Shanklin, CDC

One piece of advice I would give myself as a teen: Find at least one knowledgeable and trusted adult to ask questions about sexual health. Thereâ€™s a lot of misinformation, so itâ€™s important to get the facts. â€“ Valerie Sims, CDC

Valerie Sims, CDC

Kelvin Virden, CDC: Adolescents face so many choices about drugs, alcohol, and other risk behaviors as they grow up. In my 17 years with DASH, I've come to appreciate even more the importance of helping adolescents make healthy choices to set them on the right life path.

Kelvin Virden, CDC

DASH has the big picture perspective on the village it takes to raise a child. We connect the data, resources, and the gifted folks who make childrenâ€™s health a priority. â€“ Lisa Whittle, CDC

Lisa Whittle, CDC

As parents and educators, we must give our youth the right tools in their toolkits for healthy decision making, not just the tools we prefer to use. â€“ Patricia Ayers, Delaware Dept. of Education

Patricia Ayers,
Delaware Dept. of Education

As a public health professional and educator, I am proud to see how youth today are more empowered than ever to make informed decisions about their sexual healthâ€”thanks to more and better resources. - Kenyia Elisa-McLaren, Boston Public Schools

Kenyia Elisa-McLaren,
Boston Public Schools

My message to youth is: Learning is fun, but learning together is awesome. Feeling connected to your school can set you up for real success in life—and not just good grades, but also good health. – Louis King, Mississippi Department of Education

Louis King,
Mississippi Department of Education

Timothy Kordic, Los Angeles Unified School District: Growing up, conversations about sexual health didn't happen. I'm glad that I can now help provide critical health information to young people so they can navigate this complex world and make healthy choices.

Timothy Kordic,
Los Angeles Unified School District

Looking back, I would tell my teenage self that it's okay to have questions about sex and health. All young people have a right to receive honest health information and most adults want to help. Start looking for an adult you can trust! - Rosalina Lopez, San Francisco Unified School District

Rosalia Lopez,
San Francisco Unified School District

Dr. Kristine Meurer, Albuquerque Public Schools: In the 20 years we've been working with DASH, one of my proudest accomplishments is making health education a high school graduation requirement in new mexico. Dash and its national data was instrumental to moving us forward.

Dr. Kristine Meurer,
Albuquerque Public Schools

I wish I could tell my younger self what we teach our students today: being healthy is important, healthy relationship are valuable, and learning to speak up for yourself is an essential part of growing up. - Rachel Miller, San Diego Unified School District

Rachel Miller,
San Diego Unified School District

As a parent and an educator, I am thrilled that we have talented health education teachers in our schools. The factual, up-to-date information they provide really helps our young people make wise choices. – Christopher Pepper, San Francisco Unified School District

Christopher Pepper,
San Francisco Unified School District

We need to continuously highlight the research-based connections among education, health, housing, and economic conditions, as well as work across those systems to create environments where youth can thrive. Rosemary Reilly-Chammat, Rhode Island Department of Education

Rosemary Reilly-Chammat,
Rhode Island Department of Education

The message I want to share with youth is that there are so many places to receive free, confidential HIV testing by caring and compassionate health care providers. Set up an appointment today! â€“ Susanne Schmal, North Carolina Healthy Schools

Susanne Schmal,
North Carolina Healthy Schools

Pete Stewart, The School District of Palm Beach County: As both a parent and school district staff member, creating a safe learning environtment in which all students - including our LGBTQ + students - can flourish is so vital to academic success and social-emotional-physical wellbeing. Working with DASH has helped bolster our safe and supportive environment work, and I'm extremely proud of it.

Pete Stewart,
School District of Palm Beach County

My message for educators: Connect with your students today. Students who feel connected to their school and to supportive adults are less likely to engage in sexual risk behaviors. â€“ Dr. Lacey Rosenbaum, American Psychological Association

Dr. Lacey Rosenbaum,
American Psychological Association

My favorite part about working with teens is seeing their passion and commitment to not only seek out sexual health information for themselves, but to also make this information accessible for other teens. â€“ Mary Beth Szydlowski, Advocates for Youth

Mary Beth Szydlowski,
Advocates for Youth

Page last reviewed: November 8, 2018

Content source: Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

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