By Wendy Schaetzel Lesko
When it comes to the universe of health advocacy organizations, government agencies and private foundations, expertise is off-the-chart. One significant gap however is the first hand experiences and insights of those young people currently using services and equally crucial, those who cannot obtain vital information or access needed health care. Symbiosis between the professionals and those under age 18 holds the possibility of significant breakthroughs.
“We don’t want to lose them to CVS!.”
-Michele Perlman, Assistant Vice President for Education and Training, Community Health Network
Let’s look at the diabetes epidemic and tooth decay. Denise Webb, now age 20, with whom I proudly and joyfully co authored Why Aren’t We Doing This! Collaborating with Minors in Major Ways, are five decades apart and our lives are vastly different.
Both of us have battled against the predatory marketing practices by the behemoth beverage industry. While working with the Youth Activism Project, I collaborated with a diverse cadre of teens including one with diabetes. They demonstrated unique influence capturing media attention and had irreplaceable impact with elected officials that resulted in a county ordinance restricting the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in vending machines.
Denise has sharpened her toolkit of skills during the four years she has worked part-time with the Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE). The Oral Health Disparities Project ranks as one of Denise’s most meaningful efforts with this nonprofit that is also the headquarters for Coke Cola.
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Thinking back to her childhood, she reminisce about “ walking to the convenience store for that absolutely favorite 99 cent peach soda.” Collaborating with PSE Just Health Workgroup, the professionals make certain their teen colleagues are not token advisors. The result is genuine intergenerational interdependence. For example, Denise and other Youth Staff pushed back on the plan by the communications staff to create social media flyers, Instagram live broadcast, etc. Instead they developed an alternative photovoice strategy in specific neighborhoods which became an effective digital campaign. From fun in-person interviews to heart-breaking community documentaries, the input of the young advocates shaped and propelled the way adults viewed health equity and policies in communities.
Data collection was another core deliverable of this Oral Health Disparities grant and the Youth Staff were credited with adding another survey question: “Do you live near a convenience store?” The responses revealed glaring differences between zip codes which informed the Workgroup’s recommendations to address both dental disease and food deserts. Denise emphasizes that this health issue would not be on “Teens’ Top 10 Concerns” but the sincerity and reliance of the professionals were what unleashed her passion to apply their own lived experience and 21st century skills.
Our Youth Staff are not an afterthought, not our guinea pigs or focus group. They are in the work and I’m really excited about that.
– Robyn Bussey, Just Health Director with Partnership for Southern Equity
Multiple strategies to recruit those most impacted and furthest from power along with numerous approaches regarding onboarding, one-to-ones, compensation and other essential intergenerational commitments are described in our 160-page book. Also, don’t miss Denise Webb’s five-minute speech at an international health conference in Catalytic Credibility + Clout of Young Advocates/.
Photo credit: Partnership for Southern Equity
Youth Infusion 