What's Happening

By Joseph Kosciw, PhD | June 27, 2024
Director of Mental Health Research and Impact, ETR

Throughout Pride Month we have undoubtedly seen greater visibility of LGBTQ+ people and events – from Pride flags in our local coffee shops to rainbow versions of company logos on social media and news coverage of local Pride Parades. But on July 1^st, Pride flags come down; news stories on LGBTQ+ people and community events stop, and company logos on social media revert to their original ones without rainbows. So how do we help LGBTQ+ youth continue to hold these feelings of acceptance and pride in themselves the rest of the year?

By Reilly O'Neal | June 25, 2024
Contractor, ETR

Status neutral HIV prevention and care is a “whole person” approach that links people with services to meet their needs, whatever their HIV status may be. This holistic approach to care recognizes clients have multiple—sometimes competing—medical and psychosocial needs, which can pose a barrier to accessing HIV prevention and care.

By Tasha Turner-Bicknell, DNP, RN, CDH | May 23, 2024
Associate Professor & Director of Advanced Public Health Nursing DNP & Certificate Programs, University of Cincinnati

Harm reduction techniques, such as syringe service programs (SSPs), are shown to address this elevated risk in the population of PWUD. Syringe service programs provide local, easy-to-access services where clients can obtain sterile syringes, injection materials, safer smoking kits, naloxone, and condoms. Syringe service programs provide an opportunity to engage PWUD and provide individuals with crucial services such as HIV testing, medical care, housing support, and treatment for substance use disorder to achieve health equity for this community.

By Karin Coyle, PhD, Chief Science Officer, ETR | Pamela M. Anderson, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, ETR | Lauren Ranalli, MPH, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, ETR | May 28, 2024

Evidence-based pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention programs have been shown to have a positive effect on reducing unplanned pregnancy or associated behavioral risk factors, such as delaying sexual activity or increasing condom or contraceptive use. While teen birth rates have reached a record low in 2023, STI rates have increased dramatically. Additionally, there are evolving issues among youth, including mental health, bullying, body image, and online safety, that should be addressed in sexual health education. As a result, the need for innovation in sexual health education is stronger than before.

By Nicole Morgan, MPH | May 31, 2024
Program Manager, ETR

World No Tobacco Day is a global awareness day, celebrated annually on May 31 to bring attention to the harm caused by the commercial tobacco epidemic and to promote protection for future generations. The commercial tobacco industry is product and profit-driven, with no connection to spiritual or respectful use like seen within Tribal communities and traditional tobacco.

By Jessica Neupane, MPH | May 21, 2024

May marks Sex Ed for All Month, which is an opportunity to voice our shared commitment to a world where all young people get equitable access to the education and care they deserve, no matter who they are or where they live. Sexual health education and programs that are LGBTQIA+ inclusive, medically accurate, and culturally relevant for all youth are often inaccessible for young people.

By Azzia Thompson, MPH, CHES | May 14, 2024

ETR involves young people in co-creating innovative, science-based health solutions from concept to scale by amplifying their voices, knowledge, and lived experiences. The youth engagement strategies cited in this blog have been integral to the success of these projects, which I am proud to have been a part of!

By Vignetta Charles, PhD | May 4, 2024
Chief Executive Officer, ETR

Happy May the Fourth!  Annually, I write reflections on what Star Wars has taught me about leadership and organizational development at ETR. I usually write in late April when my reflections are very current to the moment. This year, I’m writing this in March since I will be on sabbatical in April and May—which means I’m on sabbatical as you read this blog post. As a person for whom working is a core part of my identity, I struggled with the idea of a sabbatical. 

By ETR’s Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) Team | Aprill 22, 2024

Earth Day, celebrated each year on April 22nd, invites us to look at our impact on the environment. This year, the observance focuses on the issue of plastic pollution with a theme of “Planet vs. Plastics.” It is not just about the plastic bags, bottles, and straws we often hear about—Tobacco products, like cigarettes and e-cigarettes, are also a big part of the problem.  

By Vignetta Charles, PhD & Madhuri Jha | March 29, 2024

The tragic death of Nex Benedict, a non-binary/two-spirit student in Oklahoma, has brought to light the urgent need for comprehensive support and inclusivity in our educational institutions. As two public health experts, we are deeply committed to the battle to improve young people’s and communities’ health and well-being by championing science.

By Reilly O'Neal | March 20, 2024
Contractor, ETR

Factors beyond our individual behavior can make it easier or harder to engage with HIV prevention and care. These factors are known as social determinants of health. In honor of LGBT Health Awareness Week, we wanted to highlight how social determinants of health can affect HIV prevention and care, as well as how you can access our free course on social determinants of health and HIV available through CDCTRAIN.  

By Michael Everett, MHS, EdD | February 29, 2024
Chief People and Culture Officer, ETR

Often, when we think of Black History Month, we are prompted to consider the greatness of Blackness in the past. Honoring the past is essential, especially considering some of the erasure of Black people, histories, and experiences emphasized over the last few years. We must also continue to chart the path for what we intend for it to mean to be Black in the future. In our constant effort to combat anti-Black racism and institutionalize our values, ETR leadership continues the progress by commissioning the Black to the Future (BTF) ETR workgroup.

By The ETR Team |  February 8, 2024

In honor of National Condom Month, we’re here to discuss innovative research on condom misuse and effective strategies in condom education. What are the most common errors high school students make about condom use? Thanks to some recent research by ETR and our partners at Public Health, Seattle & King County, we can share some insights on that question.   

By Li Lock, PhD, MEd, Research Associate, ETR, Gillian Silver, MPH, CHES, Research Dissemination Specialist, ETR  |  December 7, 2023

Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands. LGBTQ+ young people, especially those holding multiple, or intersecting, marginalized identities, are often faced with situations and environments where they must develop resilience to survive and thrive. 

By Ravena Soto | November 16, 2023

California is home to 109 federally recognized Tribes, yet many residents are unfamiliar with the plethora of unique cultures that surround them. The Indian gaming industry has created visibility but has not rectified misperceptions. In many circumstances, it has contributed to new misunderstandings. The very concept of contemporary California Tribal people navigating the complexities of modern life is hard for many to comprehend.

By Jessica Neupane, MPH | November 15, 2023

In honor of Thanks, Birth Control Day, ETR wants to show support for the birth control access movement and contraceptive education. At ETR, we believe everyone deserves access to and education about birth control methods that work best for their body, their life, and their goals. 

By Janine Driver (JD), MA | November 9, 2023

In this blog series, ETR experts will share best practices for hosting accessible events and centering equity in convenings. We believe in the power and possibility of cultivating accessible spaces, especially in the fight for health equity. As an organization with deep expertise in convening people from around the world for dynamic in-person and virtual events, we are committed to creating learning environments that center the diverse needs of the communities they aim to serve. 

By Kelly Gainor, MEd, Li Lock, PhD, MEd, & Lauren Ranalli, MPH | September 21, 2023

With over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pills now a reality for people across the United States, adolescents will soon have greater access to contraception- a huge step forward in reducing unplanned pregnancies and managing ongoing health conditions! But even with this expanded access, there are still significant roles that educators, healthcare professionals, parents, and other trusted adults can play in helping young people navigate their sexual health choices.