At Peer Health Exchange, our Youth Advisory Board unites incredible young leaders who are reshaping the future of health education. Each group within the board focuses on unique aspects of our mission, but they all share one goal: to make health education accessible, inclusive, and empowering for all youth.
Let’s explore how these changemakers are leading the way toward a healthier, more equitable future.
What is your vision for the future of health education?
I envision a future where health education is comprehensive, inclusive, and accessible to all. In this future, health education extends beyond the classroom, empowering individuals with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to make informed decisions about their well-being. With better resources and equity, health education can address the unique needs of diverse communities, fostering a culture of health literacy and promoting overall wellness.
By supporting organizations like Peer Health Exchange (PHE), we can help bridge the gap in health education, providing critical resources and funding for programs that cater to marginalized communities. As a member of the Youth Advisory Board Group, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of PHE's mission in building healthier communities.
-Sumaya Islam, Community Youth Advocates
Health education is the first step to achieving equitable healthcare. No matter how accessible healthcare may be, involuntary ignorance to resources is going to be the limiting factor. Different communities experience different healthcare issues and as such should receive different healthcare. Like, teen pregnancy, drug addiction, obesity, etc., these are issues that at face value target people indiscriminately.
-Michael Jarcia, Advisory Design Team
My goal for the future of health education is to spread awareness about health topics that are often stigmatized, unknown, or which have little support for. Additionally, it would mainly include having resources for groups that face disparities that are not traditionally represented or supported in the healthcare field.
I definitely think that for youth, healthcare especially is not something that people consider, especially adults. They don’t see it to be significant unless, someone is struggling with a chronic illness or a debilitating disease even though in reality, it encompasses so many things from mental health, health education, to sex and reproductive resources and more.
-Richa Viswanath, Community Youth Advocates and Youth Design Group
My vision for the future of health education is one where health knowledge and resources are easily accessible, no matter what background, or income. This future sees young people being supported by a network of readily available community resources. We also would have the power to improve those resources. With more high-quality information, peers to gain a better understanding of health issues and be empowered to improve their own wellbeing
With support, we could expand Peer Health Exchange health education programs and train more educators, increasing the number of students we reach.
-Arianna Pena, Advisory Design Team
What is the role you play on the Youth Advisory Board Group you’re in?
With a collaborative effort with the Youth Design Group, we’ve helped design a website called selfsea.org. This platform was made to help young people find trustworthy and accessible resources for them that are not only relatable but helps with both their mental and physical health. selfsea also makes it easy to find new resources to help shape one’s health education. By doing this, we are leading the way towards a more equitable and just healthcare system.
-Sumaya Islam, Community Youth Advocates
Through the Youth Advisory Board, I've been able to introduce Peer Health Exchange to many of my own friends, getting over 150 people to go view the website selfsea.org after I posted it on my Instagram. Knowing that every suggestion I make to Peer Health exchange is really considered and that they're actually using the feedback that I provide is really meaningful. I am proud to support such a youth centered nonprofit.
-Yamur Samli, Youth Design Group & Youth Brand Ambassadors
I am in the Community Youth Advocates, (CYA) group and Youth Design Group, (YDG) and in both groups we take the perspectives of youth on specific topics like health policy, mental health and social media, financial literacy, healthcare resources and use those perspective to help designs campaigns and awareness resources as well as actively evaluate existing resources to have more beneficial effects for youth.
-Richa Viswanath, Community Youth Advocates and Youth Design Group
How have you’ve applied lessons from Peer Health Exchange in your daily life?
The lessons I have learned through PHE have had an immense impact on my daily life. I have applied the skills and knowledge I gained through PHE's programs to educate my peers and family members about critical health topics, such as mental health, sexual health, and substance abuse. Moreover, I have become a more empathetic and informed advocate, recognizing the intricate relationships between health, education, and social justice.”
-Sumaya Islam, Community Youth Advocates
The lessons I have learned from Peer Health Exchange help me in my everyday life. Through Peer Health Exchange, I’ve learned the importance of youth voices, and that our ideas and opinions matter. I also have learned the importance of nurturing my own mental, physical, and social health.
I use these lessons to practice self-care and to advocate for mental health awareness. My end goal is to ensure that everyone has a community where they have the tools to support
themselves and thrive, and I know that together we can make this vision for the future of health education reality.
-Arianna Pena, Advisory Design Team
Being a part of PHE has improved my interpersonal skills and helped invoke my inner voice. I’ve had the opportunity to help others understand the different perspectives people in the queer community live through. I’ve heard from readers who found solace in my story, through blogs I’ve written. And, also from those who have learned something new and have changed their views accordingly. My voice has grown since being in PHE, and I now see collaborations and discussions with folks my age with glee rather than anxiety. I am extremely grateful to be part of PHE and am always excited for what comes next
-Michael Jarcia, Advisory Design Team
Peer Health Exchange, definitely helped me get deeper into the world of advocacy and public health, and taught me how my perspective can make an impact. Without PHE, I probably wouldn’t have been able to get some of the opportunities I've had. Working with other organizations like ‘Boston Children’s Youth Digital Wellness Advisory Board’, and I probably wouldn't have been able to create and implement a mental health campaign at school.
PHE has showed me that even small ideas can make a difference and gave me a passion for helping create resources that support youth in all area of health and wellness. PHE has also given me communities where I can truly be genuine about my opinions and experiences without being judged. Which in turn provides such a safe and supportive space where youth interested in supporting youth can share their ideas and create lasting change in our communities.
-Richa Viswanath, Community Youth Advocates and Youth Design Group
“The Youth Advisory Board overall are shaping a future where health education is accessible to all youth. By supporting PHE, you are investing in the next generation of leaders and advocates. Together, we can ensure every young person has access to the health education and the resources they deserve. “
-Arianna Pena, Advisory Design Team