Amplifying Youth Voices: Career Exploration Day Encourages Young People to Advocate for Health Equity

Engaging with young people is key to promoting awareness of public health priorities, including vaccine uptake and equity. In October 2024, youth voices took center stage at Acceler8, a career exploration day for eighth-grade students hosted by Durham Public Schools (DPS) in North Carolina. 

At the event, Healthier Generation fostered discussions around education, health, and community well-being, with a focus on increasing vaccine confidence and sharing information about The Walking Classroom. More than 2,400 students from DPS participated and explored various industries and career pathways.

Interactive vaccine polling

As vaccine hesitancy continues to impact communities, it’s important to engage youth in conversations that promote informed health decisions. Healthier Generation engaged attendees in interactive vaccine-related dialogues, asking students five thought-provoking questions:

1. Do you believe vaccines are important?
2. What is herd immunity?
3. Who do you trust most for information about vaccines?
4. What concerns have you heard from friends or family about vaccines?
5. What resources would help you better understand the benefits of vaccinations?

Students were given colorful dot stickers to select answers that resonated with them, creating an interactive and visual way to gauge their collective opinions. The poll sparked conversations about trust, understanding, and access to accurate vaccine information. Students also received resources to help them better understand the benefits of vaccinations.

The goal was clear: engage young people in meaningful conversations about vaccines, address concerns, and provide reliable information to help them make informed decisions regarding their health.

Campaign critique: Fostering critical thinking

The second activity involved a critique of a vaccine campaign poster titled, "Real Heroes Vaccinate." Students were encouraged to share their thoughts on the poster, reflecting on its visual appeal and messaging. Questions such as, “Would this catch your attention in a school hallway?” and “What changes would you suggest to improve the poster?” pushed students to think critically about how vaccine information is presented to them.

This activity allowed youth to engage creatively while offering feedback that could shape future vaccine awareness campaigns aimed at younger audiences.

To cap off the experience, students were rewarded with glow sticks that featured QR codes linking to Healthier Generation’s Vaccine Resource Hub, providing them with easy access to trusted vaccine information in both English and Spanish. These resources allow students to dive deeper into credible vaccine information at their convenience.

The Walking Classroom: A resource for schools

Ashley Sandoval, senior business manager at Healthier Generation, also showcased The Walking Classroom, an award-winning program that encourages students and staff to take a walk while listening to educational podcasts. The program not only addresses learning loss but also supports social-emotional learning and physical well-being, offering lessons on English language arts, social studies, and science topics.

Ashley’s conversations with educators and youth inspired interest in how The Walking Classroom can be used to improve classroom engagement while promoting health. Students enjoy learning through the program because provides an opportunity for inclusive movement and a chance to refresh their minds.

A driving force for change

Acceler8 Career Exploration Day not only provided students with exposure to multiple career pathways but also provided a unique platform for young people to voice their opinions on critical health topics. From vaccine confidence to dynamic education methods, students had the opportunity to influence future health campaigns and discover how they can become ambassadors for change.

The event underscored the importance of equipping youth with the tools they need to make informed decisions, not only for their future but also for the well-being of their communities. 

Visit our Vaccine Resource Hub to learn more about how you can help protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.