Project: Teen Clinic Online: Using Information Technology for Prevention and Health Care with Youth

Health Infostructure Support

Background

Today's youth have access to a wealth of health information but health risk behaviours, such as cigarette smoking and unsafe sex, have increased over the past 15 years. For health practitioners the challenge persists: 'how do we engage teens in health promotion?' Teens today live in an interactive, highly media-oriented world, and interactive technologies provide enormous potential for engaging youth in disease prevention and health promotion activities.

Project Description

The project will establish an on-line clinic for teenagers on a web site. The web site will provide information and self directed learning about relevant and potential sensitive teen health issues. It will also provide information about why and when to contact health professionals and how to access the health care system and related services. The project also includes content development, including input from teenagers, simulations, appropriate video games, on-line counsellors and services and a directory of on-line community resources.

Project Funding under HISP: $167,700.00

Project Management: University of Toronto

For further information contact:

Dr. Harvey Skinner
University of Toronto
12 Queens Park. Cres. West
McMurrich Building
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 1A8
Tel: (416) 978-8989
Fax: (416) 978-2087
harvey.skinner@utoronto.ca