Op-Med is a collection of original articles contributed by Doximity members.
“Global adolescent health equity” was the theme for this year’s annual meeting for the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine (March 14–17). For the 50th anniversary, hundreds of attendees gathered to discuss, critique and generate strategies that ensure that all young people have full and equal access to opportunities that enable them to achieve healthy, productive and meaningful lives.
The meeting included discussions around evolving language in medicine…
@drdebs2110 proposed acceptable words #sahm2018 @SAHMtweets #vulnerable #entitlement #diversity #science #evidencebased #transgender #fetus
— Janna Gewirtz OBrien (@JGewirtzOBrien) March 16, 2018
@Drjaninejones “Fear of confirming stereotype IS an ACE” (adverse childhood experiences) for youth of color #sahm2018
— stephie ratcliff (@stephieratcliff) March 16, 2018
“Interventions must be culturally specific and must understand historical context.” @Drjaninejones #sahm2018
— stephie ratcliff (@stephieratcliff) March 16, 2018
…especially related to gender non-conforming youth.
“Challenge yourself” to know how to affirm transgender & non-binary patients in your practice. Yes! #sparks training from #adolescenthealthinitiative at #sahm2018
— Marea Kinney (@KinneyMarea) March 16, 2018
What scripts and sexual norms are we teaching young males? Adolescents and young men are part of the solution when we tackle gender equity. @suzp looking at other gender drivers of poor health #SAHM18 #SAHM2018 #GenderEquity
— Sara Jassemi, MD (@sarajassemi) March 14, 2018
Gender dysphoria noise - the thoughts and feelings that pull you away from your present self. Youth health professionals need to lean into their own discomfort and have more nuanced conversations instead of doing what feels most comfortable for them #SAHM2018
— Melissa Kang (@DrMelissaKang) March 14, 2018
Mental health was a hot topic, including childhood trauma, opioid addiction, and body image.
“We often differentiate between physical health & mental health, but the body doesn’t know the difference.” -Janine Jones, PhD @Drjaninejones #SAHM18 #plenarysession #globalpsychologicalwellbeing #MentalHealth #AdolescentHealth #thrive #SAHM2018
— Dr. Nicholas Westers (@DocWesters) March 16, 2018
#ACEs tree demonstrates adverse community environments that underlie the more traditional ACEs #sahm2018 @sahm
— Charlene Wong, MD (@DrCharleneWong) March 16, 2018
It is alarming that while 1 out of 4 young adults over age 18 receive #MedicationAssistedTreatment for their #opioid use disorder, only 1 in 20 adolescents younger than 18 get this life-saving treatment @DrScottHadland #SAHM18
— Rachel Alinsky (@DrRachelAlinsky) March 16, 2018
@DrScottHadland on the opioid epidemic and why it matters to youth: 2 of 3 individuals report use before age 25, 1 in 3 report first use before age 18 #SAHM2018
— stephie ratcliff (@stephieratcliff) March 14, 2018
3 out of 4 parents engage in “fat talk” about themselves in front of their children; 3 out of 7 do so about their child to their child. #SAHM18 #eatingdisorders #fattalk #postersymposia #SAHM2018 @SAHMtweets
— Dr. Nicholas Westers (@DocWesters) March 17, 2018
Clinicians and researchers strived to support adolescents with technology and policy.
Learning from our co-attendees at @DrCharleneWong @SAHMtweets challenges in technology with clinical care for AYAs - wearable technology, connecting with teens, navigating access #sahm2018 #sahm
— Róisín Mary (@rosheenamaria) March 16, 2018
@LaurenWisk shows a 20% increase in young adult insurance coverage after #ACA #sahm2018 #ThanksObama
— Krishna Upadhya (@sahmadvocate) March 16, 2018
Gun violence among adolescents and youth was another looming topic…
91% of firearm deaths among minors in the developed world take place in the US. __#NeverAgainIsNow #SAHM2018
— Dr. Coco Auerswald (@CocoAuerswald) March 14, 2018
@drdebs2110 reiterates power of humor, media and anger: Let’s do something #neveragain #enough #sahm2018 #EndGunViolence
— stephie ratcliff (@stephieratcliff) March 16, 2018
As was teen pregnancy and sex trafficking.
Complications related to pregnancy are still the leading cause of death for girls 15-19 worldwide @Atayeshe #SAHM2018
— stephie ratcliff (@stephieratcliff) March 14, 2018
Katherine Licona, 12th grader, robotics student, wants to be a pediatrician, came to Seattle from Honduras 2 years ago. In Honduras: “Teenagers have difficulty trusting getting birth control because doctors may know their family and they may tell their family.” #SAHM2018
— stephie ratcliff (@stephieratcliff) March 14, 2018
Myths of Sex Trafficking #SAHM18 #sextrafficking #myths #adolescenthealth #hottopics #SAHM2018 #psychology #health #traumainformed @SAHMtweets
— Dr. Nicholas Westers (@DocWesters) March 17, 2018
Overall, there was a tremendous sense of passion and inspiration to be leaders for our youth, but also allow them to guide their own way.
Here are some more action plans from our workshop on how to partner with teens to amplify teen voices at the national Society for Adolescent Health & medicine meeting in Seattle#SAHM2018,#TAG42mil
— TeenWarriors4Change (@change_teen) March 17, 2018
To all the #youth out there who participated in #MarchForOurLives , please know how much you inspired a conference full of #adolescenthealth professionals! Keep up the great work! #SAHM2018 @SAHMtweets
— Lauren Wisk (@LaurenWisk) March 16, 2018
Never underestimate the powerful voices of #Youngpeople #SAHM2018
— Melissa Kang (@DrMelissaKang) March 16, 2018
That’s a wrap of SAHM18! The next annual meeting will take place March 6–9 in Washington, D.C.
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