title: The development of building wellness™, a youth health literacy program.
abstract: Health literacy research has concentrated on adults; there has been inadequate research on youth health literacy and the effect it may have on health outcomes. Low-income, minority populations have low levels of health literacy and are at higher risk of illness and disease. Building Wellness™ is a youth health literacy curriculum targeting low-income youth from 3rd grade to 8th grade in order to prepare the youth to be active, educated participants in their healthcare. Lessons focus on asthma, obesity and overweight, accidental injury, and drug and alcohol use. Curriculum development was based on qualitative and quantitative assessment of the target population. The preliminary findings from the pilot project show an increase in knowledge, improved healthy behaviors, and enthusiasm from participants and facilitators. The development of the pilot project is described, with a suggestion for future development of youth health literacy assessment tools.
authors.affiliation: Eugene M Lang Foundation, New York, New York 10017, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Diamond
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saintonge
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: August
authors.forename: Adeline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azrack
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D004522:Educational Status; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D008913:Minority Groups; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011203:Poverty; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation