PRC Newsletter - May 2022

PRC Banner

Greetings from the HYD-PRC!

This newsletter explores recent work of our HYD-PRC faculty, staff, and community partners. We highlight findings from a study examining aspects of healthcare delivery associated with provider discussions about a range of sexual and reproductive health topics with their adolescent patients. We examine ways to reduce barriers and increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence among people in prisons and jails, and young people experiencing homelessness. We uncover serious gaps in oral health care among Minnesota youth involved with the foster care system. We feature our partnership within the national Sex Education Collaborative and continue to advocate for and support comprehensive sexuality education for young people. 

We wish each of you the very best in your daily work and advocacy on behalf of young people!

Renee Sieving 

Director, Healthy Youth Development – Prevention Research Center

Mom_son_provider photo

Healthcare Practices that Support Provider-Teen Discussions about Sexual and Reproductive Health

Routine adolescent preventive visits provide important opportunities for promoting sexual and reproductive health and for preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. 

Vaccine Photo

HYD-PRC Researchers Explore Ways to Reduce Barriers and Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence

The Healthy Youth Development - Prevention Research Center (HYD-PRC) received funding to implement the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Strategy among two populations that PRC faculty have been working with – people in prisons and jails and youth experiencing homelessness.

Dentist with patient
Photo by Quang Tri NGUYEN on Unsplash

Statewide Study of Youth Oral Health Reveals Serious Care Gaps for Minnesota Kids in Foster Care

It’s no secret that children in the foster care system often face hardships. Children in foster care often have complex trauma histories and face many challenges their peers may not deal with. However, as HYD-PRC Associate Professor Rebecca Shlafer recently found out, access to dental care is also a major hurdle that children in foster care face as well.  

SEC logo

Supporting Comprehensive Sex Education for Young People - HYD-PRC Teams Up with the National Sex Education Collaborative

The HYD-PRC aims to ensure that young people and those who work with them have access to comprehensive, high-quality sex education curricula and training opportunities. Thus, when the national Sex Education Collaborative released their call for membership, the HYD-PRC recognized an important opportunity for partnership.  

PRC logo 2021

PRC Faculty & Staff Highlights

  • "If Someone Has It, I'm Gonna Hit It!" Beckman and Colleagues Explore Vaping Among Minnesota Teens
  • Jordan Awarded Funding to Explore "Teacher Field School"
  • Jordan Attends UN Sponsored Global Climate Negotiations
  • McMorris Co-PI of CDC PRC Special Interest Project Focused on Pyramid Mentoring
  • Shlafer Promoted to Associate Professor
  • Shlafer Invited to Talk at NIH's Behavioral and Social Science Research Festival
Group of young people

Events & Resources

  • 2022 Adolescent Health Summer Institute
  • Sex Ed For All Month
  • Mental Health Awareness Month
  • HYD-PRC Trainings