Federal Resources

OAH produced these updated summary fact sheets that report on adolescent mental health by state, featuring information on positive social skills, depressive symptoms, depressive episodes, and suicidal thoughts, attempts, and resulting injuries.

These resources from the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Adolescent Health provide information on health and nutrition in adolesence.

OAH has updated its information on teen tobacco use to include new data and resources, including information about e-cigarettes. This page provides information on:

1. The health impact of teen tobacco use
2. Trends in use
3. Risk and protective factors that impact a teen’s likelihood of starting or stopping smoking
4. Federal, state, and community strategies and approaches to preventing and reducing teen tobacco use
5. Tips for parents on communicating with their teen about smoking
6. Additional resources on adolescent tobacco use and services to help users quit

This list provides an overview of some of the major themes seen in adolescent health in 2014 and offers links to relevant resources. The top six trends are (1) increasing global attention on adolescence and an emphasis on young adulthood, (2) encouraging positive youth development, (3) implementing evidence-based programs for adolescents, (4) promoting physical activity and healthy eating, (5) preventing teen violence, and (6) promoting preventive health services for adolescents.

This report outlines promising practices in working with pregnant and parenting teens, effective programs for supporting this population, and the discussions and suggestions of experts in the field.

This article from the Office of Adolescent Health provides tips and resources for parents on starting important conversations with their teens and on how to take advantage of teachable moments.

This brief from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and the Office of Adolescent Health provides data on the eligible uninsured adolescent population, as well as the provisions in the Affordable Care Act that will have an impact on young people. An accompanying infographic (PDF, 1 page) features some of the highlights.

This infographic developed by the Department of Health and Human Services's Office of Adolescent Health aims to bust some of the common myths about tanning and provides information about the negative effects that tanning can have on health.

This article, from the Department of Health and Human Services, provides tips for parents, healthcare providers, and college staff on helping teens makes healthy and safe transitions to college. Topics addressed include healthcare, mental health, nutrition and fitness, substance use, and healthy relationships

The archive of this OAH webcast, which highlighted the role of positive youth development in the prevention of teen pregnancy and other risky behaviors, is now available for viewing. A resource list (PDF, 4 pages) of suggested readings from the webcast speakers is also available, as well as the archived #TeenPYD Twitter conversation. 

Two new video series address what works for teen pregnancy prevention (TPP) and the impact of TPP programs on the lives of adolescents. The first series provides a personal look at TPP programs in local communities. The initial video highlights Sé tú mismo (Be Yourself), a positive youth development program for Latino youth in Washington, D.C., and Montgomery County, Maryland, and includes the perspective of teens in the program. The second video series features OAH staff and partners answering frequently asked questions about TPP, including information on why U.S. organizations should focus on TPP and where the country is on this issue. 

These resources can help professionals who serve young fathers and their families to reach and engage more young fathers; influence research, practice, and policy to better address the needs of this population; and improve the lives of young fathers and their families:

1. Recruiting Young Fathers: Five Things to Know (PDF, 2 pages)
2. Retaining Young Fathers: Five Things to Know (PDF, 2 pages)
3. Serving Young Fathers: Important Things to Know and How They Make a Difference (PDF, 5 pages)
4. Serving Young Fathers: An Assessment and Checklist for Grantee Organizations (PDF, 11 pages)
5. Serving Young Fathers: A Workbook of Activities (PDF, 10 pages)

These reports illustrate the findings of 41 rigorous evaluations conducted from 2010 to 2015 through the OAH Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Program. The results from these evaluations can help local communities select and implement pregnancy prevention programs that are a good fit and likely to have the greatest impact.

This webpage provides tips for caregivers on keeping track of what shots teens have had and when others may be due. It also includes a helpful checklist of vaccines needed at different stages of a child’s life

These profiles describe the programs of 25 PAF grantees working in 17 states and with two tribes. Communities can use this information to evaluate what strategies may be successful in their settings. 

These updates to the bullying section of the OAH website include the latest information on bullying in schools and online, negative consequences of bullying, and promising prevention and intervention efforts from federal partners and youth engagement organizations. Parents, school staff, and youth-serving professionals can use this resource to inform their efforts to address and prevent bullying. 

This webpage provides a definition of positive youth development, information on the eight key practices organizations can consider when implementing the approach, and resources communities or programs can use to incorporate positive youth development into their work. 

This web section explains the five domains of adolescent development and the changes that are a normal and necessary part of adolescence. It also describes different ways that adolescents experience these changes, how adults can respond in supportive ways, and how to seek professional help if needed.