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          Started in 2012 as a youth-led initiative, Stomping Out, an interactive health fair tailored explicitly for adolescents and young adults, was created to support high school students and young adults as they creatively express themselves while teaching their peers about health promotion and disease prevention. The overarching goals of this event are 1) to increase awareness of health conditions affecting youth ages 13-18 and 2) to increase self-efficacy among youth to make positive health choices and develop healthy behaviors. Stomping Out takes a two-pronged approach to promoting health awareness by 1) staging a step show competition where teams of high school students develop and perform choreographed routines designed to teach the audience about health issues that affect youth living in urban areas and 2) coordinating a health/resource fair that provides accurate, culturally sensitive, and developmentally appropriate health information geared toward youth. Community partners provide health screenings, activities, and demonstrations on topics such as sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS and unintended pregnancy; alcohol, drug, and tobacco use; healthy eating and exercise; and behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence. Information on other educational, cultural, and developmental resources available in the Detroit area is also included.

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          In a peer-reviewed article published in the Journal of Community Health Nursing highlighting the effectiveness of S.A.V.E.T.H.E.M, more than 300 participants (161 youth and 151 parents, guardians, or other adults) attended the 2016 Stomping Out event (Kulik et al., 2016). Participants came from more than 58 zip codes, primarily in and near Detroit. Most were African American (92.4% of the youth and 91.5% of the adults). Forty-three vendors, including representatives from local universities, the Wayne County Health Department, youth-led community-based organizations, and local health systems, provided information on asthma, sexual health, HIV testing, diabetes screening, college preparation, bullying, and aggression, after-school programs, and driver education (Kulik et al., 2016).

The Importance of Adolescent Health Promotion in Detroit, MI

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          Adolescent health promotion is a crucial public health concern in Detroit, Michigan, where economic and social disparities significantly impact youth well-being. Adolescence is a pivotal stage of development, where health behaviors and access to healthcare can shape long-term outcomes. Ensuring that young people in Detroit receive adequate healthcare, nutrition, mental health support, and preventive care can help mitigate disparities and improve their future quality of life.

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          One of the most pressing health challenges for adolescents in Detroit is the high prevalence of chronic conditions such as asthma, obesity, and mental health disorders. Studies have shown that social determinants, including poverty and limited access to healthcare, contribute to these health disparities (Bethell et al., 2019). The city’s high poverty rate, which affects nearly 33% of residents, exacerbates health challenges by limiting access to nutritious food, safe recreational spaces, and quality healthcare services (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022).

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          Mental health is another critical concern, as adolescents in Detroit face high rates of stress, trauma, and depression due to exposure to violence, unstable housing, and economic hardship. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), nearly one in five high school students in the state has seriously considered suicide (MDHHS, 2021). Expanding access to school-based mental health programs, peer counseling, and community outreach services is vital in addressing these issues.

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          Additionally, adolescent reproductive health and education are essential components of health promotion in Detroit. The city has historically experienced higher-than-average rates of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). Comprehensive sex education, increased access to contraception, and confidential healthcare services can help empower adolescents to make informed health decisions.

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          Stomping Away Various Epidemics by Teaching Health Education and Mentoring (S.A.V.E.T.H.E.M) is making significant strides in improving adolescent health promotion in Detroit. Through mentorship, health education, and community engagement, S.A.V.E.T.H.E.M provides resources that help address health disparities among youth. Their initiatives focus on preventive healthcare, mental health support, and reproductive health education to empower adolescents to make healthier choices. Research has demonstrated that S.A.V.E.T.H.E.M's programs effectively increase health knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions among youth participants (Kulik et al., 2016). Our efforts illustrate how culturally responsive, peer-led interventions can make a lasting impact on adolescent health.

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References

Bethell, C. D., Gombojav, N., & Whitaker, R. C. (2019). Family resilience and connection promote flourishing among U.S. children, even amid adversity. Health Affairs, 38(5), 729-737.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Sexually transmitted disease surveillance 2020. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2020/default.htm

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Kulik, N. L., McNeill, C., Murphy, A. R., & Iovan, S. (2016). Sexual health knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions following a health fair for adolescents. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 33(3), 119-127. https://doi.org/10.1080/07370016.2016.1191866

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Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). Michigan adolescent health survey report. Retrieved from https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs

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U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). QuickFacts: Detroit city, Michigan. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/detroitcitymichigan