Why H.E.A.L.T.H. for Youths?
H.E.A.L.T.H for Youths will focus in and around the
New York metropolitan area, with the intention of branching out regionally, nationally and internationally. According to
the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development's 2008 Annual Report, 33% of the city's overall youth budget is earmarked for after school and extra-curricular activities.
While rates for certain health care issues are on the decline among youths, for New York City teens, ages 15-19, rates of pregnancy remain at 93.2 per 1,000, as opposed to 72.2 nationally.
Additionally, in 2005, an estimated 93,000 of the 280,000 New York City public high school students
used alcohol, and rates of smoking still remain high.
Great strides have been made to assist families in these areas, but there is still much more work to be done. This work can be done by non-profits such as H.E.A.L.T.H for Youths.