Adolescent and Young Adult Health Needs Assessment

We want to know what young people in Washington think about health care 

The WA Department of Health is launching an Adolescent and Young Adult Health mini-Needs Assessment to better serve adolescents and young adults in Washington. 

Graphic cartoon of doctor with long black hair, wearing a stethascope and looking at their watch.

We want to hear what young people and their providers think about health care services for teens and young adults in Washington. A few topics we want to know more about are:

  • Adolescent well-care visits (teens to 21)
  • Sexual and reproductive health, confidential services
  • Youth-friendly care
  • Mental and behavioral health

How can teens and young adults share their feedback?

We want to hear from young people across Washington, who come different backgrounds, have different identities, and have unique lived experiences. Teens and young adults ages 13-22 can share their thoughts and feedback on adolescent health care through one or more of the following options:

 

How can youth-serving providers share their feedback?

Providers serving teens and young adults across the Washington state health care system and in different settings can share their feedback. This includes -- primary care providers, emergency and acute care providers, specialists, and behavioral health care providers. Provider settings can be -- private practice, community clinics and health centers, academic health centers, local health jurisdictions, school-based health care, and inpatient and outpatient settings. Providers serving teens and young adults ages 11-24 will be able to share their thoughts and feedback on adolescent health care through one or more of the three following options:

  • Now open! Take an anonymous online survey of (mostly) open-ended questions on key adolescent health topics and issues. Use this link: Adolescent and Young Adult-Serving Provider Survey.
  • Coming soon! Participate in an upcoming virtual listening sessions. During these sessions, we will share feedback from the Adolescent Health Youth Advisory Council, then listen to challenges and barriers youth-serving providers encounter in adolescent health care and the successes and recommendations they have to improve it. Email us at adolescenthealthunit@doh.wa.gov to be added to the registration list.
  • Participate in a key informant interview with DOH's Adolescent Health Staff - email us at adolescenthealthunit@doh.wa.gov to schedule.

 

What will we do with the feedback we receive?

The feedback from young people and their providers will help us better serve young people in Washington. We will use the findings from the survey and listening sessions to guide and shape DOH’s adolescent health program and the adolescent health domain of DOH’s Maternal Child Health Block Grant (MCHBG).

We will use the data and findings to plan trainings and technical assistance for youth-serving health care providers, implement new and improving existing adolescent health programming, and develop a new Youth-Friendly Certification.

We will also share a summary of findings with key partners, providers, and teens and young adults.

Share information about this survey with young people, or youth-serving providers and organizations! 

Flyer in English and Spanish 

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If you'd like to be added to our email list, let us know at adolescenthealthunit@doh.wa.gov.