The San Mateo Health System partnered with StarVista to support the San Mateo County Youth Commission in developing and publishing the Adolescent Report: Youth and Adults Working Together for a Healthy Future, which describes the status of health and wellness for youth in San Mateo County. Using data from multiple sources, including the San Mateo Youth Commission’s Adolescent Needs Survey, the California Healthy Kids Survey, the US Census, and the California Department of Education, the Youth Commission was able to assess the health needs of San Mateo County youth and determine relevant policy solutions to address their findings. Over several years, the Youth Commission was involved in all aspects of the research and report development; from creating the survey, to analyzing the data, to making final policy recommendations. 

The purpose of the report is to share evidence on where health needs are highest in order to inform the priorities of the Youth Commission, as well as guide the work of policymakers, providers, grant makers, young people and their allies across the county as they work to improve the lives of youth.

Select Key Findings

• 29% of students who reported being bullied four or more times also reported low levels of connectedness at their schools.Supporting well‐implemented, age‐specific, whole‐school approaches to bullying prevention that involve multiple systems and methods, the entire school community, and long‐term involvement by staff.
• Almost 70% of students in non‐traditional schools reported not eating breakfast.Increasing breakfast consumption at school and healthy nutritional intake at breakfast through implementing programs such as universal school breakfast.
• 70% of survey respondents reporting feelings of depression, nervousness or emotional stress.Ensuring adequate access to and quality of mental health services for children and youth.
• Students with higher levels of school connectedness had lower rates of truancy.Creating learning environments that allow for better connections between students and caring adults, which can include creating smaller learning environments.

For a detailed list of findings and recommendations view the Adolescent Report: Youth and Adults Working Together for a Healthy Future.