How do underserved adolescents want to learn about health? An exploration of health concerns, preferences, and resources utilized

Understanding health concerns and preferences of underserved adolescents has potential to shape health interventions. The objective of this study is to better understand these adolescents’ current and preferred health resources, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. High school students from underrepresented communities in six US cities completed a pre-pipeline program survey in which they reported level of personal concern, as well as current and preferred sources of information about 1) depression/anxiety, 2) nutrition, 3) sexual health, 4) trauma/violence, and 5) alcohol/drugs. 259 participants completed the survey (avg. age 15.7, 79% female, 58.3% Hispanic, and 36.0% Black). At least a moderate level of concern and some degree of prior knowledge (>3 on 5-point Likert scale) were reported across all health topics. Participants reported the lowest level of knowledge on the topic of trauma/violence. Students reported family (24%) and teachers (21%) as the most utilized current sources of information. Students reported doctors as the preferred source of information across all health topics. The difference between students’ current source of information and preferred source of information was significant across four topics: depression/anxiety, sexual health, trauma, and alcohol/drugs (p <0.01). These results underscore the important role of physicians as educators and suggest a need for improved education on trauma/violence. These results also establish a pre-COVID-19 baseline for adolescent health concerns, current, and preference health resources. This baseline understanding may shift because of pandemic changes.