Region - UC Davis researchers have received $1 million from Sierra Health Foundation and The California Endowment for an ambitious two-year study that will yield recommendations for boosting the region's vitality by investing in its youth. The "Healthy Youth, Healthy Regions" study will focus on disparities in four areas that affect the well-being of children, adolescents and young adults in our region: education, health, employment and civic engagement. The center will coordinate the efforts of more than 20 UC Davis researchers in sociology, medicine, education, environmental design, human and community development, and other disciplines. The research will be guided by a 13-member advisory committee. “With this study, we look beyond the current economic downturn to more rigorously determine where investment in the development of young people is required to ensure that the region has the human capital needed to prosper in a global economy,” said Chet Hewitt, president and CEO of Sierra Health Foundation, adding: “We believe the region’s long-term economic, social and cultural health may well depend on the investments we make in our youth today.” The study was commissioned by Sierra Health Foundation, which contributed $700,000 in funding. The California Endowment contributed $300,000. The UC Davis Center for Regional Change addresses the social, economic, cultural and political changes occurring in California’s Central Valley and foothills. “How well the children and youth of a community are faring is a fairly accurate barometer for assessing the health of that community,” said Will Nicholas, director of research for The California Endowment. He said “Low-income communities tend to have much fewer of the social, economic and systems supports critical to healthy youth development than wealthier communities. Through the action research of Healthy Youth/Healthy Regions, we can form an agenda to create a more equitable distribution of those supports at both the community and regional levels.” This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009 00:49
Regional Youth Study
Region - UC Davis researchers have received $1 million from Sierra Health Foundation and The California Endowment for an ambitious two-year study that will yield recommendations for boosting the region's vitality by investing in its youth. The "Healthy Youth, Healthy Regions" study will focus on disparities in four areas that affect the well-being of children, adolescents and young adults in our region: education, health, employment and civic engagement. The center will coordinate the efforts of more than 20 UC Davis researchers in sociology, medicine, education, environmental design, human and community development, and other disciplines. The research will be guided by a 13-member advisory committee. “With this study, we look beyond the current economic downturn to more rigorously determine where investment in the development of young people is required to ensure that the region has the human capital needed to prosper in a global economy,” said Chet Hewitt, president and CEO of Sierra Health Foundation, adding: “We believe the region’s long-term economic, social and cultural health may well depend on the investments we make in our youth today.” The study was commissioned by Sierra Health Foundation, which contributed $700,000 in funding. The California Endowment contributed $300,000. The UC Davis Center for Regional Change addresses the social, economic, cultural and political changes occurring in California’s Central Valley and foothills. “How well the children and youth of a community are faring is a fairly accurate barometer for assessing the health of that community,” said Will Nicholas, director of research for The California Endowment. He said “Low-income communities tend to have much fewer of the social, economic and systems supports critical to healthy youth development than wealthier communities. Through the action research of Healthy Youth/Healthy Regions, we can form an agenda to create a more equitable distribution of those supports at both the community and regional levels.” This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
