Youth Advocacy Programs: Lessons From YEAH! Adult Leaders Evaluation Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Health
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Youth obesity disparities persist despite numerous intervention programs.
• Policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes offer a promising approach.
• The Youth Engagement & Action for Health! (YEAH!) curriculum targets PSE change to promote healthy behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the YEAH! youth advocacy curriculum.
• To identify factors contributing to program success and challenges.
• To highlight best practices for adult leaders in youth advocacy.

Main Methods:

• The study involved 237 middle school youth from low-income communities across 18 organizations from 2017-2019.
• Data were collected through adult leader surveys and interviews.
• Qualitative data were coded for themes of youth advocacy, retention, and program success factors, followed by validation.

Main Results:

• Positive program outcomes were linked to adult leaders with prior youth engagement and enthusiasm for advocacy.
• Access to resources was crucial for motivating group cohesion, participation, and commitment.
• Key themes identified included youth advocacy actions, retention rates, and program opportunities and threats.

Conclusions:

• Adult leader characteristics and resource availability significantly influence the success of youth advocacy programs.
• Tested strategies for adult leaders can enhance youth engagement and commitment in health initiatives.
• The YEAH! curriculum provides a framework for empowering youth to drive PSE changes for healthier communities.