"We're Talking" was developed by the Adolescent Interest Group (AIG) of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF). The group is comprised of PAMF physicians, social workers, educators and researchers concerned with addressing the health care needs of adolescents. AIG members volunteer countless hours to review Web content and create new material to ensure the site continues to provide teens with comprehensive, up-to-date health information.

• Our Vision
• Our Mission
• Values and Assumptions
• Ask The Expert

Our Vision

PAMF's Web site for teens, "We're Talking," will be an accurate source for health information for Bay Area teens 13 to 18 years of age, their parents and teachers.

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Our Mission

PAMF's teen Web site, "We're Talking," will provide comprehensive health information and answers to specific questions for Bay Area teens. The information will be straightforward, clear, understandable, medically accurate and up-to-date.

"We're Talking" will also serve as a resource for parents who want help in talking with their teens about sensitive issues, and for high school teachers who want to integrate health information into their classroom curriculum.

We will do this by providing the following:

• Rigorously reviewed, thorough and complete health information on topics of current interest and concern to teens
  
• Interactive activities to help teens assess, manage and reduce their health risks and concerns
  
• Teaching materials to be used by teachers interested in teen health issues
  
• A robust set of resources, content and references for parents who want to help their teens with health care decisions

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Values and Assumptions

We will approach development of content for the Web site with the following underlying values and assumptions.

• We believe in the intelligence of our readers
  
• We care about the physical and emotional health and safety of our readers
  
• We try to address both physical and emotional health aspects of all topics
  
• We are aware of the spectrum of teen behavior -- from "abstainers" to "heavy risk takers"
  
• We try to include all points of view and balance our coverage of issues
  
• We use vocabulary that teens can understand and relate to (which may include current slang)
  
• We assume that teens are in a consensual, comfortable relationship and that there is good communication between partners, when addressing sexual issues and questions

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Ask The Expert

We are committed to respecting the privacy and confidentiality of our Web site's visitors.

The "Ask The Expert" section of our teen site is intended to provide teens (ages 13 to 20) an opportunity to ask health related questions anonymously. Teens submit questions using an on-line form and answers are provided by PAMF physicians and posted to the site weekly.

We adhere to the following guidelines when answering questions.

• We will not provide "how to" information.
• We will give teens straight answers (what it is).
  
• We will give teens advice on how to be safe, if they engage in risky behaviors.

Last reviewed January 2008
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