Adolescent Health Initiative

03/20/2026

According to the CDC, in 2023, 70.7% of people with HIV in the U.S. were virally suppressed within six months of diagnosis. But American Indian & Alaskan Native people had among the lowest percentages of viral suppression within six months of diagnosis at 63.9%. This demonstrates the disparate barriers to health education and care experienced by Native and Indigenous communities when it comes to HIV treatment and prevention.

This National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, let's commit to addressing these inequities and providing culturally humble care to Native and Indigenous young people. For one small, actionable step, access AHI's training on PrEP for Adolescents to explore how providers can connect all youth with this lifechanging medication: https://michmed.org/RBmR2

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. An illustration of a red ribbon made of patchwork. AHI's logo.

03/18/2026

Only 6 hours left!!! Can you help us cross the finish line and end on a high note? Every dollar we receive will help youth access our 2026 Annual Conference. Any donation, large or small, helps us !

Chip in today: https://michmed.org/GiveToAHI

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
A photo of a seated young person speaking into a microphone. In front of her is a tablet and keyboard. Logo for Giving Blueday 2026.

03/18/2026

Thank you so much to those who have already donated to our campaign! There's still time to donate before our midnight deadline ⏰

Funds will be used to provide stipends and travel support for young people to advocate for their health care at our 2026 Conference. Each dollar helps a young person share their story!

Visit our donation page: https://michmed.org/GiveToAHI

IMAGE DESCRIPTOIN:
A photo of a young person standing at a podium in a suit, reading from a piece of paper. Logo for Giving Blueday 2026.

03/18/2026

How can you empower young people to take charge of their health and shape the future of adolescent care? Today, the answer is simple: join AHI’s campaign and donate to support youth participants in our 2026 Annual Conference on Adolescent Health. From a dedicated youth-led day to an exhibition of youth artists, we're doing everything we can to in health care—are you?

Even a few dollars will help us give opportunities to young people in need to share their experiences with health professionals and make their voices heard!

Our campaign deadline is midnight tonight! Learn more: https://michmed.org/AHIGiving2025

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
A photo of a young artist painting on an easel in a sunny studio. The logo for Giving Blueday 2026.

03/18/2026

is here! We’ve only got until midnight TONIGHT to reach our goal of raising $2,000 to help young people with financial need attend our 2026 Conference. This directly supports AHI’s purpose: to transform the adolescent health care landscape and !

If you can donate or help us spread the word, please learn more at: https://michmed.org/GiveToAHI

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
A photo of a young person speaking into a microphone, wearing a nametag from the 2024 Conference on Adolescent Health. Logo for Giving Blueday 2026.

03/13/2026

March is Self-Harm Awareness Month, a time to reduce stigma and increase understanding around self-harm and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). If you or someone you know needs support, help is available. You can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
Orange, yellow, and white text on a dark navy background with a butterfly motif. AHI's logo.
IMAGE 1 reads March is SELF HARM AWARENESS MONTH. Encourage those struggling to reach out to mental health professionals for support. CONTENT WARNING: Self-harm. Illustration of orange awareness ribbon.
IMAGE 2 reads Understanding Self-Harm. Self-harm, also called non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), refers to intentionally harming one’s body as a way to cope with overwhelming emotional distress.
While self-harm is not always a su***de attempt, it is a sign that someone is struggling and may need support.
Self-Harm Awareness Month helps:
Reduce stigma
Increase understanding
Encourage compassionate support and access to care
IMAGE 3 reads Self-harm can affect people of all ages, but it is most commonly reported among adolescents and young adults.
Signs someone may be struggling can include (but are not limited to):
• Unexplained cuts, burns, or bruises
• Wearing long sleeves or covering skin in warm weather
• Increased secrecy or withdrawal
• Emotional distress or mood changes
Responding with empathy and non-judgment can make it easier for someone to seek help.
IMAGE 4 reads Support & Resources. Recovery and support are possible.
If you are concerned about someone:
Approach the conversation calmly and with care
Avoid blame or judgment
Encourage connection with a trusted adult, counselor, or mental health professional
Support resources:
988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 for immediate support
Self-Injury Recovery & Awareness hosts resources & virtual peer support groups: www.thesira.org/
If someone has a serious or life-threatening injury, contact emergency services immediately

03/12/2026

Recently our Assistant Director, Marlanna Landeros, attended Brother Rice High School, Bloomfield, Michigan's Annual Warrior Wellness Week, to share adolescent-centered info on how young people can improve their social, emotional, and mental well-being. Thanks to the students of Warrior Wellness for organizing the event!

And a special shout out to Marlanna and our student worker Jacyn for ! The expertise and care you bring to everything you do not only makes AHI better, but also strengthens the community around us 💙



IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
IMAGE 1 is AHI's assistant director, Marlanna Landeros (she/her) stands behind a table of swag with an Adolescent Health Initiative logo. Marlanna describes herself as having light skin, brown eyes, dark brown hair, and glasses.
IMAGE 2 shows a cafeteria full of high school students. A sign on the wall says Home of the Warriors.
IMAGE 3 shows smiling students standing near a table with colored pens and paper. Orange and white banners in the background read RICE.

03/10/2026

March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This day highlights the importance of HIV prevention, testing, and care for women and girls, and the role communities and providers play in reducing stigma and improving access to support and treatment.

For AHI's no-cost resource on providing PrEP for adolescents, visit the link in comments!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
IMAGE 1 reads National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, March 10, 2026. Women and girls are an important part of the conversation about HIV prevention, testing, and care. In the U.S., about 23% of people living with HIV are women, and women account for around 20% of new HIV diagnoses. Awareness helps reduce stigma, increase testing, and connect people to life-saving care. Illustrations of red awareness ribbons and abstract figures in motion. AHI's logo.
IMAGE 2 reads What providers, communities, and individuals can do.
Normalize routine HIV testing
Share information about prevention tools like PrEP
Address stigma and barriers to care
Support women and girls living with HIV
Access to testing, prevention, and treatment helps improve health outcomes and move us closer to ending the HIV epidemic.

03/09/2026

Time is running out to submit your proposal for the 2026 Conference on Adolescent Health! Make sure to complete your application by 11:59 p.m. EST this Friday, March 13. Full details at our Conference page - 🔗 below!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
Black and white text on a blue gradient background reads 2026 Conference on Adolescent Health. Deadline Friday to submit your proposal! Share your ideas with our youth-centered community. Two ways to attend: Online: November 2, 2026. In-person: November 6-7, 2026, at Huntington Place, Detroit, MI. An illustration of a doctor in a white coat, holding a map with a route planned out it. Logos for AHI and University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine.

03/04/2026

"No matter how strongly (and rightly) we assert that children should not bear responsibility for keeping their friends alive, the situation remains that our national youth su***de crisis weighs heavily on society’s smallest shoulders."

Uplifting this powerful article by Jessica M. Pierce, MD, MSc on the terrible burdens youth su***de places on adolescents and those around them:

A child psychiatrist reflects on the importance of openness between teens and parents, and rapid response, when a friend or acquaintance may be at risk of su***de.

03/04/2026

Day is the perfect time to share our upcoming training, Information Overload: Communication Strategies for Adolescent Vaccine Counseling. This virtual training will equip youth-supporting health professionals with evidence-based strategies to address vaccine hesitancy among adolescents and their caregivers. Our expert speakers will cover the recommendation landscape for vaccine recommendations—including HPV!

Join us April 28! Registration will open March 24 on our Webinars & Trainings page below.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
Information Overload: Communication Strategies for Adolescent Vaccine Counseling. A virtual training for youth-supporting professionals. Save the date: April 28, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EDT. An illustration of a syringe and a medication bottle with a heart. Logos for AHI and University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine.

03/03/2026

🌟 Student worker update! 🌟

This semester we have been lucky to welcome Jacyn Bamis (she/her) to the team! Jacyn is a former student athlete at both the University of Hawaii where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public health and now the University of Michigan as an master of social work student. She is committed and driven by disparities not only in primary healthcare but also oral healthcare. Jacyn plans to attend dental school and eventually build a practice where she can combine dentistry with her social work background. She's passionate about providing care that looks at the whole person, not just their dental needs, and using this perspective to improve access, trust, and patient outcomes

It's also been a pleasure to welcome back Jordan Bell (she/her)! Jordan worked with AHI last summer as part of the Future Public Health Leaders Program (FPHLP), and now she has been helping our programs team as our Youth Engagement Assistant while she completes her first year at the University of Michigan's master of public health program.

We're so happy for Jacyn and Jordan's contributions - please share a warm welcome!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
IMAGE 1 shows Jacyn Bamis, smiling in front of a blue background wearing a Michigan sports jersey. Jacyn describes herself as having dark brown eyes, brown skin, and dark black hair.
IMAGE 2 show Jordan Bell, smiling and wearing a striped shirt in front of a grey background. Jordan describes herself as having beige/honey skin, sandy brown hair, and hazel eyes.