The Youth Public Health Ambassadors program is a partnership between Children’s Chance International, Energy in Action, and the GRIT Lab. The program aims to support youth in vulnerable communities develop the skills needed to support their communities in confronting persistent health challenges and successfully drive positive change.
The program aims to increase:
- Awareness of healthy behaviors that promote physical and emotional wellness.
- Community engagement in disease prevention and control programs.
- Community-based data to support evidence-based programs and policies.
The program trains and empowers 30 young people (aged 18-22 years) to serve as public health ambassadors in their community.
GRIT investigators assist with the development and implementation of the Ambassador training program which is comprised of three main components. First, Ambassadors receive basic training in public health. Second, training focuses on how diseases and associated risk factors are measured within communities and how to collect public health data. The third training phase focuses on interpreting public health data and using evidence to support community-based public health programs and policies.
Throughout all phases of the program, the YPHA are provided with resources to assist them in educating their community about healthy behaviors.
Besides developing and assisting with the implementation of the training program, GRIT investigators also lead the evaluation of the program.