title: Healthy & Empowered Youth: A Positive Youth Development Program for Native Youth.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During 2010-2012, Oregon Health & Science University's Prevention Research Center, a Northwest Tribe, and the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, collaborated to evaluate the Healthy & Empowered Youth Project, a school- and community-based positive youth development program for American Indian and Alaska Native high school students.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Native STAND (Students Together Against Negative Decisions) curriculum was enhanced with hands-on learning activities in media design to engage students in sexual and reproductive health topics covered by the curriculum. Guest speakers, field trips, and extracurricular activities were added to provide academic enrichment, engage students in cultural activities, and offer opportunities for career development. Students completed comprehensive pre- and post-surveys, and the authors conducted focus groups and key informant interviews with students and teachers. Data analysis was conducted during 2013-2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survey findings demonstrated improvements in student leadership and achievement, physical and mental health, and protective sexual health behaviors. The percentage of female teens reporting use of a condom the last time they had sex increased from 17% to 30%, and those who reported ever having been tested for sexually transmitted illnesses doubled from 12% to 24%. Focus group and interview findings indicated similar improvements in student self-esteem, life skills, health behavior, and engagement in community.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Healthy & Empowered Youth Project educated and empowered Native high school students on a variety of sensitive health topics. The media enhancements were central to the program's success, reinforcing and personalizing classroom lessons and generating health-related videos and posters that resonated with family and friends.
authors.affiliation: Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Stephanie N Craig
authors.initials: SNC
authors.lastname: Rushing
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health & Science University, Center for Healthy Communities, Oregon Health & Science University/Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Nichole L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Hildebrandt
authors.affiliation: Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Carol J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Grimes
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health & Science University, Center for Healthy Communities, Oregon Health & Science University/Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Amanda J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rowsell
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health & Science University, Center for Healthy Communities, Oregon Health & Science University/Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Benjamin C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health & Science University, Center for Healthy Communities, Oregon Health & Science University/Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, Oregon. Electronic address: lambertw@ohsu.edu.
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Lambert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D011209:Power, Psychological