The Coronavirus Crisis: Keeping Youth Connected

The American Health Podcast

This is the second episode in our special American Health Podcast series, featuring experts talking about the impact of the novel coronavirus in the United States as seen through the lens of the Initiative’s five focus areas.

Today we’re talking about the crisis is affecting young people, and how one outreach program in Baltimore is adapting to keep youth connected to their supportive network. Guests are:

• Tamar Mendelson, Bloomberg Professor of American Health and Director of the Center for Adolescent Health at the Bloomberg School of Public Health;
• Joni Holifield, founder and president of HeartSmiles, a youth leadership and entrepreneurship program based in Baltimore
• Isaiah Thomas, a 20-year-old who lives in Baltimore and is involved in HeartSmiles

*This episode was recorded in March and April, and some information may have changed as a result of this rapidly developing situation.

Resources:

• HeartSmiles' website, YouTube channel, and COVID-19 resource directory for Baltimore youth and families
• Johns Hopkins Center for Adolescent Health
• Recording of the April 8 webinar "Responding to Youth Needs Due to COVID-19: Perspectives from Three Hopkins Centers"
• Updates for families in Baltimore City Public Schools
• Youth.gov's Resources to Support Youth and Families During the Coronavirus COVID-19 Outbreak