Disruptive data: Optimizing national survey results to help young people thrive

Document Type

Article (peer-reviewed)

Publication Date

3-2025

Abstract

Section snippets:

Purpose: Social and structural determinants of health (SSDoH) impact equity among young people 10-24 years old in the US, influencing their ability to thrive. Connectedness and support from school, family, and peers are established as important SSDoH for young people.[1] It is important to understand connectedness at a sub-state level since national and state averages may mask heterogeneity – information that is necessary for targeted action. This study examines the utility of large data sources to... Methods: We conducted an inventory of national databases to analyze the varied relationships between connectedness and health among different sub-populations and geographies. A review of literature to identify major SSDoH for young people preceded the inventorying. Following this, we mapped data sources to identify national data on youth connectedness. We then explored the opportunity to analyze and map national data on connectedness at state and sub-state levels, providing a case study to demonstrate... Results: Nationally representative surveys include indicators on SSDoH. However, there is variation in the indicators measured, availability of data on young people, and access to sub-state level data. Maps of census data reveal state and sub-state variability in the proportion of 16- to 24-year-olds who are disconnected.[1] For example, in Massachusetts, county level youth disconnection ranges from 3.3% to 13.9%. In Mississippi, county levels of youth disconnection vary more widely, from 5.1% to... Conclusions: Nationally representative surveys provide a vital resource on SSDoH, however levels of data disaggregation vary substantially by survey. Understanding local and layered SSDoH (e.g., multiple measures of connectedness) could support tailored action with and for sub-populations of youth. Meaningfully involving young people in research, and collecting data directly from them, should be central to these efforts.

Comments

Note: Farah Beche contributed to the poster that was presented following the submission of this abstract to the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) 2025 Annual Meeting and is therefore listed as an author.

DOI

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.11.136

Language

English

Project

GIRL Center; Leveraging Information to Foster Thriving among Young People in the US (LIFT YP)

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