“Don’t Shoot, I Want to Grow Up”: Findings of a Multicity Youth-led Health Assessment

Background: Youth of color are one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. population. Collaborative equitable approaches to research and action present potential avenues to engage youth of color meaningfully in health research and action initiatives.

Objectives: This article explores community-based participa-tory research (CBPR) as an approach that presents valuable opportunities to engage youth and young adults of color in leadership in public health initiatives to create healthy communities.

Methods: Integrating a CBPR approach, we partnered with grassroots leaders and community organizations across five cities to engage youth and young adults of color (n = 35) in identifying health assets and threats to young people’s well-being using mixed-methods including surveys, photovoice, field observations, and interviews.

Results: This article focuses on presenting three major themes that emerged from the youth-led health assessment across five cities: 1) relations with police, 2) stress, and 3) safety. Findings indicate youth are well aware of the role that interlocking structures play in individual and collective health and well-being.

Conclusions: CBPR presents promising approaches to engage youth meaningfully in health promotion initiatives providing the opportunities for youth researchers to document accurately nuanced understandings of social determinants of health impacting the health and well-being of youth of color.