Annual Report 2003 - 2004
One Generation
To Build Confidence
It is widely known that children stay healthier when they are physically active, but few people recognize that sports should also be appropriate for a child's developmental stage. Sally Harris, a Palo Alto Medical Clinic pediatrician and sports medicine physician, pointed out that young female athletes are prone to unique patterns of injury because of changes in their body alignment during puberty. As the hips grow wider and the knees change angle, it can lead to torn ligaments and stress fractures - especially in sports like basketball, volleyball and soccer.
Dr. Harris added that more than half of serious head and neck injuries incurred by female athletes are from cheerleading. Injuries can impact the ankle, knee and elbow, and even cause broken limbs and head trauma. When Dr. Harris gave a presentation on this topic at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Convention in Boston in 2002,
it generated international media coverage and help-ed to raise awareness about cheerleading injuries. "Cheerleading has evolved into a competitive sport," said Dr. Harris. "It involves tumbling and complex partner stunts like the 'basket toss,' where three girls throw a fourth girl high into the air and try to catch her. If they miss, the injuries can be devastating." In January 2004, a San Jose State University cheerleader broke her spine and was paralyzed while participating in a basket toss. Part of the solution, said Dr. Harris, is for schools to recognize that cheerleading is a demanding sport requiring specialized equipment and trained coaches.
"Cheerleading is an attractive sport. It combines gymnastics and dance, and requires a high level of athleticism," said Dr. Harris. "With the right training at the right time, it can also be a much safer sport for young women."
We're Talking
"We're Talking" (www.pamf.org/teen) was created to provide young people between the ages of 13 and 20 with medically accurate information on subjects ranging from sexual and emotional health to skin care and nutrition. Visitors to this Web site can submit questions anonymously, and receive factual, non-judgmental answers from Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) clinicians. The site also provides numerous resources for parents and educators.
"The site tackles some issues that can be very
difficult for teenagers and parents to talk about," said Margaret Raffin, a long-time PAMF trustee and chair of the board's Health Care Committee, who has also been a generous supporter of PAMF's teen-related programs. "The fact that the site is used by people all over the world is testament to its value as a resource for medically reliable information." Since its launch in March 2001, "We're Talking" has logged more than 1.2 million visits from teens and parents.
One of the reasons young people keep coming back to the site is its teen-friendly vocabulary and writing style. In fact, some content on the Web site is written by teens. In spring 2003, Palo Alto eighth grader Katie Ransohoff e-mailed the "We're Talking" Webmaster to ask if she could contribute an article on teen sleep disorders, a subject that had captured her interest. Katie was put in contact with Dr. Nancy Brown, senior research associate in the Department of Health Services Research at PAMF's Research Institute. Nancy coordinates PAMF's Adolescent Interest Group, which originated and continues to oversee development of "We're Talking." Katie's article was subsequently posted, and she is now a frequent contributor to the site. 
Katie Ransohoff
"The fact that the site is just for teens makes it really unique," said Katie. "PAMF is reaching out to people who wouldn't otherwise have access to a resource like this. It's like an extension of a friend, where you can ask any question without feeling uncomfortable."
In summer 2004, Katie and her two younger siblings, Julia and Sam, became members of Summer Opportunities for Developing Adolescent Health (SODAH), a six-member team of young people who helped to develop a new PAMF Web site especially for kids ages 9 through 12. The "SODAH kids" met weekly to share ideas, and wrote articles for the site based on their own experiences as preteens. The site (www.pamf.org/preteen) received some start-up funding from the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health and is set to launch in fall 2004.
Although the primary mission of "We're Talking" is to serve Bay Area teens, nearly 10 percent of the questions posted each month come from young people in other countries, including Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand and the Philippines.
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