Michael E. Young Honored Again For Health Education Research

Fayetteville, Ark. - Michael E. Young, University Professor in health science, will receive the 2004 Research Award presented by the Research Council of the American School Health Association during the awards ceremony tonight at the association's 78^th annual conference in Pittsburgh.

The association presents one award each year to the individual selected as the top researcher in the nation whose work is related to school health or the health of school-age children. Young will present an invited lecture titled "What Does Research Tell Us About the Impact of Abstinence Education?"

The chair of the association's selection committee, Robert Weiler, who leads the University of Florida department of health education and behavior, praised Young's "distinguished contributions to adolescent health research and health education" and his first-rate scholarship: "He is a respected colleague who represents the University of Arkansas with distinction. I cannot think of a more deserving candidate to receive this honor."

Reed Greenwood, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions, said, "During this year, Dr. Young has received an exceptional level of honor and recognition from his peers nationally. His work has been a credit to the university and an impressive contribution to Arkansas and the world."

In addition to the Research Award from the school health association, Young received the Scholar Award from the American Association for Health Education in spring 2004. He is featured in the September-October 2004 issue of American Journal of Health Behavior and cited for his "bold and sometimes controversial research" that "has advanced our knowledge of health behaviors, especially those of children and youth." At its November 2004 conference, the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex will confer fellow status on Young.

Young's national contributions include his work in drug education, sexuality and abstinence education, and other research related to sexual behavior. He is founder and director of the Health Education Projects Office, one of two organizations named by the American Association for Health Education and Metropolitan Life to serve as a model for teacher training.

The office's drug prevention program, "Keep a Clear Mind," is one of only 19 model programs in the United States to be named to the National Registry of Effective Programs by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. "Keep a Clear Mind" has also received the center's Exemplary Program Award and is listed as a model program by both the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

"Sex Can Wait," the abstinence education curriculum series developed by the Health Education Projects Office, has received the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Award for Outstanding Work in Community Health Promotion five times. In a recent study, follow-up tests in 15 school systems that used "Sex Can Wait" showed significant differences in sexual behavior and attitudes by participants both upon completion of the program and 18 months later.

Young is co-author of the "Sex Can Wait" series, along with curriculum developers and trainers Sue Hart, Pennie Core and Tamara Young. Michael and Tamara Young are also authors of the book "Abstinence: Pick & Choose Activities," which is used in schools and community-based programs across the country.

Under Young's leadership, the Health Education Projects Office faculty and staff have worked with schools and community groups throughout Arkansas and in 14 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. They have also conducted numerous training sessions and made presentations internationally.