Panelists and forum participants will explore some of the social pressures that today’s teens face. Some discussion topics may include: ways to promote a positive mental attitude, engaging and connecting with teens, encouraging positive self-esteem and healthy body image values, developing and maintaining healthy family relationships, and preparing teens to become independent health care decision makers.

Moderator: Dave Golden, MPHA President

Panelists:

Gloria Ferguson, Health Start School-Based Clinics
Mary Sue Hansen, Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative
Megan Schnobrich, Boynton Health Service, University of Minnesota

January 25th, 2013 -- Teens and Sexuality: What’s new beyond the birds and the bees?

Panelists and forum participants will focus their discussion on the topic of teenage sexuality. Topics will include encouraging healthy social relationships, the role of social media as a contact point, the controversies surrounding the HPV vaccine, and the rise of sexually transmitted diseases among teens.

Moderator: Ken Bence, Past MPHA President

Panelists:

Andrés Alvarez and Kadeeja Rivers, Planned Parenthood Teen Council

Nina Jonson, myHealth for Teens and Young Adult

Judith Kahn, Executive Director of Teenwise Minnesota

March 29th, 2013 -- Teens and addictive behaviors: What are our teens getting into?

Panelists and participants will discuss issues related to addictive behaviors among teens from tanning to texting to tobacco and some “T’s” in-between. Discussion topics will include tanning (in the sun, tanning booths and spraying), alcohol use, prescription and OTC drug abuse, the rise of designer drugs and the new ways that smoking and tobacco products are present among teen cultures.  

Moderator: Ellen Benavides, Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Health

Panelists: 

Jessica Knutson from the American Cancer Society

Ken Winters from the University of Minnesota Medical School

Emily Styba and Cray Thornton from P.E.A.S.E. Academy 

September 20, 2013-- Teens and sports participation: Are the risks and benefits in balance?

The last forum will explore the role that sports participation plays among our teens. Panelists will focus on the role of intramural and recreational sports activities in healthy development, healthy versus harmful sports participation, the social pressure to become sports heroes, and the rise in sports injuries.

Moderator: Dave Johnson

Panelists:

Tim Conboy from Rosemount High School

Kevin Merkle from the Minnesota State High School League

Kayla Meyer, a high school athlete

William Picconatto from the Athletic Training and Education Program at St. Cloud State University