Lack of access to healthy foods disproportionately impacts adolescents. This mixed-methods study used photovoice to explore everyday lived experiences of food access among teens from low-income families, empowering them to share their stories. Sixty-three diverse teens (12–17 years) from across one Midwest state took images and created narratives to support community presentations. Independent content analysis identified themes. Researchers used t tests to compare pre-post differences ( p < 0.05) for two scales related to empowerment and positive youth development. Themes suggest teens take on adult responsibilities relative to food access, generally selecting unhealthy foods. Families and after-school programs were critical to food-related experiences, with cultural differences noted. A statistically significant increase, t(58) = -2.225, p = .032, was noted for “most community leaders in my city would listen to me.” Findings support the need to address factors contributing to difficulties accessing healthy foods in home and community settings.

Identification of risk factors unique to the aging experience is vital to support health promotion efforts and prevent loss of independence for the increasing aging population. Health risk appraisals are tools capable of identifying a broad range of factors that affect health; however, these tools were designed for use with predominantly healthy working-age adults. The purpose of this integrative review was to describe uses and adaptations of health risk appraisals with aging adults. A total of 43 articles met inclusion criteria, identifying multiple adaptations necessary to effectively identify the risks faced by aging adults, including those related to activities of daily living, pain, depression, social support/network, vision, hearing, and cognitive status. Uses included support for health promotion efforts and to determine risk for depression, falls, and loss of independence. Further research needs to be done to evaluate impact when used as a health promotion and prevention tool for aging adults.

Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors continue to be a strong contributor to chronic illness and death in the United States. Despite the health care system's efforts to refocus on prevention, primary care visits remain acute care focused. Health risk appraisals are tools that can be used by primary care providers to enhance lifestyle behavior change and prevention efforts. The purpose of this integrative review is to examine nurse and physician use of health risk appraisals in primary care. A total of 26 national and international papers, selected through an electronic database and ancestry search, were reviewed. Identified nurse and physician interventions in addition to other programming included helping participants understand and interpret feedback, behavioral counseling, and development of plans to address unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. The most common intervention was provision of telephonic nurse advice lines. Overall outcomes were positive. The use of these tools could be key to enhancing primary care prevention.

Youth are spending less time outdoors compared to previous generations. Because youth spend much of their time in school, teachers can provide the critical linkages that introduce students to nature. Unfortunately, teachers often lack access to standards-based STEAM curricula focused on natural resources, do not feel comfortable taking their students outside, and may not be knowledgeable about how to incorporate nature into the classroom. Addressing the nature deficit disorder facing today’s youth and the lack of professional development for teachers requires involvement from Extension (agriculture and natural resources specialists, health and human science educators) and natural resources professionals.