Adolescent mental health concerns increased during COVID-19, but it is unknown whether early increases in depression and suicide risk have been sustained. We examined changes in positive screens for depression and suicide risk in a large pediatric primary care network through May 2022…

Growing rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and limited access to comprehensive reproductive health care in many states highlight the need to better support our teens with research, programming and policies that address their full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health…

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes >35 000 cancers each year in the United States, yet vaccination rates remain lower than other recommended adolescent immunizations. Since adolescents frequently miss well-visits, capturing any visit opportunities for vaccination at acute and chronic…

Cognitive characteristics common to autistic individuals are often seen in adults with anorexia nervosa (AN), raising the question of whether autistic people and people with AN may share an endophenotype. We need to examine autistic characteristics during the early stages of AN to…

PolicyLab participated in the conceptualization and planning of numerous interviews with youth for the 2022 Southeastern PA Regional Community Health Needs Assessment. We plan to utilize the data within this report to help inform research and programs to address youth-identified health…

Through the federal family planning program, Title X, all minors seeking care at a Title X-funded clinic are legally allowed to access confidential services, including sexually transmitted disease testing, contraception and pregnancy counseling, without a parent or guardian even in…

Since May 2021, numerous state legislatures in the United States have introduced bills to restrict the participation of transgender and gender diverse (trans) youth in gender-segregated sports in a manner consistent with their gender identity. The purpose of this study was to…

Telehealth services for medical care were rarely available in the United States before March 2020 when stay-at-home orders went into place in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Gender-affirming care for transgender and nonbinary (TNB) individuals was no…

Youth spend most of their time in school, offering an important opportunity to deliver mental and behavioral health services that meet them where they are. Schools can provide prevention services aimed at supporting positive youth behavioral health, decreasing the need for higher-level…

Gender-affirming care (GAC) is critical to the well-being of transgender and gender diverse youth and was limited by COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Telehealth created opportunities for youth to continue receiving lifesaving care. We examined the attitudes of patients (n=21) and…