Funded Projects

Adolescent and Young Adult Health Research Network

Grantee: University of California, San Francisco
Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Ozer
Project Number: U8DMC45901
Project Date: 9/1/2022

Project Website

Age group(s)

Adolescence (12-18 years)
Young Adulthood (19-25 years)

Abstract

The adolescent and young adult (AYA) years are the second critical period of the lifecourse, bringing challenges and opportunities with lifelong implications for health. Development is shaped by multiple frequently changing contexts and developments, including social determinants of health. Transdisciplinary research can improve health through responding to current trends, advancing equity, improving health in the transition to young adulthood and improving models of care. An AYA Health Research Network ("Network"), will full engagement of AYAs and their families, including those from underserved communities, can create a comprehensive research agenda and translate findings into practice.

Goals and Objectives:

Our goals & objectives are to: (1) Grow and extend a national, multi-site collaborative Research Network that will accelerate the translation of research into MCH AYA practice; (2) GOAL 2: Promote scientific collaboration transdisciplinary, collaborative research focused on (a) increasing equity and engaging AYAs, parent/caregivers, and the community, that will enhance the evidence-base for AYA health interventions and address current trends; (b) increase equity in health and safety outcomes for AYA focusing on underserved populations; (c) improve health outcomes in the transition from adolescence to young adulthood; and (d) examine how models of care can be best accessed and utilized by AYAs from underserved populations. (3) Enhance the research training and mentorship of diverse emerging MCH investigators through the use of innovative mentorship/ research experiences and manuscript development. (4) Disseminate and translate into practice new and emerging research findings relating to AYA health to a broad audience, including researchers, policymakers, educators, relevant professionals in the health, community, and education sectors, families and AYAs.

Methodology:

We shall establish a Network Coordinating Center that will advance research through Research Teams guided by a Steering Committee that meets monthly and a National Advisory Board. The Network will develop a research agenda to guide research leading to at least 10 research projects over the project period, that will engage at least 20 early investigators. Research will be disseminated broadly through a project website, peer-review journals (at least 3 publications/year); presentations at professional conferences; research briefs and updates; as well as tools and resources such as guidelines, screening tools and curricula, and health literacy tools for AYAs and their families.

Coordination:

The Steering Committee and National Advisory Board will include representatives of MCHB-funded LEAH Projects; MCH Research Networks; UC Berkeley's School of Public Health; the National Adolescent and Young Adult Health Capacity Building Program (NCBP); UCSF's Latinx Center of Excellence, as well as youth, family, and community representatives.

Evaluation:

We combine quantitative tracking and qualitative assessment to evaluate research projects, experiences of mentored early investigators, and impact of dissemination and translation activities.

Publications

Listed is descending order by year published.

Adams SH, Park MJ, Brindis CD, Irwin Jr. CE. Adolescents’ receipt of care in a medical home: Results from a national survey. J Adol Health. 2023;1-5.

Barney A, Raymond Flesch M et al. Telemedicine in an Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine Clinic: A Mixed Methods Study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2023;23:680

Giovanelli AG, Rowe J, Taylor M, Berna M, Tebb KP, Penilla C, Pugatch M, Lester J, & Ozer EM. Supporting Adolescent Engagement with AI-Driven Digital Health Behavior Change Interventions. J Med Internet Res. 2023;25:e40306

Meyers M, Ozer EM. Chapter 5: Preventive health care for adolescents and young adults. In: Katzman DK, Gordon C, Callahan T, Joffe A, Rosenthal S, Trent M, Chung R, eds. Neinstein’s Adolescent and Young Adult Health Care: A Practical Guide. 7th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2023:58-77.

Park MJ, Brindis CD, Irwin CE, Jr. Health care policy for adolescents and young adults. In: Crockett LJ, Carlo G, Schulenburg JE, eds. APA Handbook of Adolescent and Young Adult Development. American Psychological Association; 2022.

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