July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Program hopes to boost teen health (4/24/04)
Program hopes to boost teen health (4/24/04)
A new web site for teenagers in Jay County will launch its counterpart this weekend with a radio call-in show focusing on teen health issues.
Educational director of Jay County Hospital Terry Brown, said she came up with the idea for the TeenAware program, which is funded by Jay County Hospital, after working with teenagers for several years as a registered nurse.
The TeenAware effort was first launched by Brown and the Jay County Hospital program and education department with a web site on April 12.
The web site (www.TeenAware.com) offers a message board, downloadable music videos, information about health and emotional health issues, and a place to anonymously ask a medical doctor questions. The web site has had about 8,200 hits since it was launched.
Brown hopes the web site and radio program will help teens discuss issues such as peer pressure, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
“It’s important that we talk with teenagers about these issues, so we can help them,” she said.
Between 8 and 9 p.m. on Sunday, Jay County teens can call or e-mail local radio station WPGW (100.9 FM) and ask Brown, Dr. Kathleen A. Galbraith and host Matt Howell about various teen health issues. The questions will be then answered live on the radio.
No voices, names, telephone numbers or e-mail addresses will be used on air. Someone will screen all of the phone calls and e-mails.
“We want the callers to be anonymous, so they will trust who they are talking to and get the information they need,” said Brown, who is an author and mother of three teenage boys. “We want teenagers to ask the questions they are really thinking, so they can be answered.”
Galbraith, a family practice physician, thinks it is important for callers to remain anonymous because some young adults are embarrassed to ask questions about health issues.
“Keeping the callers anonymous will make it easier for young people to ask questions,” she said.
According to Brown, each show will have a different topic. The topic for this Sunday’s show is “How far is too far?” This topic deals with trends in our society, television shows and teen abstinence.
Depending on the week’s topic, various guest physicians will be on the show. Brown is also hoping to have some teen hosts.
“We’re really excited about it (the radio program),” she said. “We just really wanted to do something for the young people in Jay County.”
Rob Weaver, general manager of WPGW, thinks the combination of contemporary music and the personalities of the hosts will make the radio show entertaining for Jay County teens.
“There has been a lack of programming for young people in our community — and there just wasn’t a lot of information (about health issues) available to them,” said Weaver.
Galbraith also feels it is important to educate teenagers about health issues with the radio program and web site.
Galbraith said young adults are a segment of the population which have been ignored in terms of health education. She thinks most get their health information from peers, which is usually false.
Anyone with questions for the TeenAware radio show can call WPGW at (260) 726-8780 during show hours. Questions can be e-mailed through the TeenAware web site’s live section.[[In-content Ad]]
Educational director of Jay County Hospital Terry Brown, said she came up with the idea for the TeenAware program, which is funded by Jay County Hospital, after working with teenagers for several years as a registered nurse.
The TeenAware effort was first launched by Brown and the Jay County Hospital program and education department with a web site on April 12.
The web site (www.TeenAware.com) offers a message board, downloadable music videos, information about health and emotional health issues, and a place to anonymously ask a medical doctor questions. The web site has had about 8,200 hits since it was launched.
Brown hopes the web site and radio program will help teens discuss issues such as peer pressure, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
“It’s important that we talk with teenagers about these issues, so we can help them,” she said.
Between 8 and 9 p.m. on Sunday, Jay County teens can call or e-mail local radio station WPGW (100.9 FM) and ask Brown, Dr. Kathleen A. Galbraith and host Matt Howell about various teen health issues. The questions will be then answered live on the radio.
No voices, names, telephone numbers or e-mail addresses will be used on air. Someone will screen all of the phone calls and e-mails.
“We want the callers to be anonymous, so they will trust who they are talking to and get the information they need,” said Brown, who is an author and mother of three teenage boys. “We want teenagers to ask the questions they are really thinking, so they can be answered.”
Galbraith, a family practice physician, thinks it is important for callers to remain anonymous because some young adults are embarrassed to ask questions about health issues.
“Keeping the callers anonymous will make it easier for young people to ask questions,” she said.
According to Brown, each show will have a different topic. The topic for this Sunday’s show is “How far is too far?” This topic deals with trends in our society, television shows and teen abstinence.
Depending on the week’s topic, various guest physicians will be on the show. Brown is also hoping to have some teen hosts.
“We’re really excited about it (the radio program),” she said. “We just really wanted to do something for the young people in Jay County.”
Rob Weaver, general manager of WPGW, thinks the combination of contemporary music and the personalities of the hosts will make the radio show entertaining for Jay County teens.
“There has been a lack of programming for young people in our community — and there just wasn’t a lot of information (about health issues) available to them,” said Weaver.
Galbraith also feels it is important to educate teenagers about health issues with the radio program and web site.
Galbraith said young adults are a segment of the population which have been ignored in terms of health education. She thinks most get their health information from peers, which is usually false.
Anyone with questions for the TeenAware radio show can call WPGW at (260) 726-8780 during show hours. Questions can be e-mailed through the TeenAware web site’s live section.[[In-content Ad]]
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