Health Squad

Name: Health Squad
Author: Mount Sinai Health System

Mount Sinai Health System

DOCUMENTED

Published in academic literature

For:Patients & CaregiversKids & Youth

Free

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App Summary

Health Squad is a confidential health and wellness app for adolescents and young adults, providing expert answers to sensitive questions, medication reminders, and daily challenges to help manage their overall well-being. The app's design is informed by associated research which identified leveraging technology to increase access to confidential health services as a key strategy for addressing the holistic needs of this population. The authors conclude that such innovative approaches can help inform future efforts to promote health equity and address the root causes of health disparities among young people.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

Developed by the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, Health Squad delivers confidential health and wellness information to adolescents and young adults. The system's primary modules include an asynchronous Q&A interface for submitting questions to qualified providers, a medication and appointment reminder system, and daily wellness challenges. The interface also disseminates educational notifications, myth-busters, and provides links to external resources, such as locators for family planning clinics and sexually transmitted infection testing centers.

Evidence & Research Context

The app's design is informed by research associated with its developing institution, which focuses on addressing social determinants of health among adolescents and young adults.
Associated research literature identifies leveraging technology as a key strategy to increase access to comprehensive and confidential health services for this population.
The platform's features, including educational content and medication adherence tools, align with a research-identified priority of addressing the holistic needs of young people.

Intended Use & Scope

This system is intended for use by adolescents and young adults as a confidential educational and self-management resource. It is designed to supplement, not replace, professional clinical care. The platform does not provide medical diagnoses, treatment, or emergency services; users must consult a qualified healthcare provider for all personal medical concerns.

Studies & Publications

2 publications

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Qualitative Study

Innovative Approaches to Address Social Determinants of Health Among Adolescents and Young Adults

Tebb et al. (2018) · Health Equity

Programs using technology and cross-sector collaboration effectively addressed social barriers to adolescent healthcare access.

Background: Social determinants are the leading causes of health disparities. Yet health care systems have not systemically addressed social determinants of health as it pertains to adolescents and young adults (AYAs), among other populations in need. This study identified promising innovative programs across the United States. Methods: Thirteen representatives from 10 programs completed a 45-min telephone interview. Transcripts were reviewed and analyzed to identify cross-cutting themes. Results: Strategies included increasing access to quality, comprehensive and confidential health services, addressing the holistic needs of AYAs, collaborations across the health care delivery systems and other community services, and leveraging technology. Conclusion: This study showcased innovative approaches to inform future efforts.

Qualitative Study

Addressing social determinants of health among adolescents and young adults: Strategies from the field

Tebb et al. (2017)

Identified successful strategies health systems use to address social factors affecting adolescent health through community partnerships.

Improving adolescent and young adult health requires a focus on the broader social determinants of health, as well as individual factors that are often the focus of efforts to improve health. This study identified innovative approaches involving partnerships between the health care delivery system and the broader community to promote health equity and address the root causes of health disparities for adolescents and young adults. Researchers conducted telephone interviews with stakeholders from 10 innovative programs/interventions. The study was led by researchers from NAHIC (in the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies & Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at University of California, San Francisco) in collaboration with ICF International. It is one in a series of publications associated with a multi-year evaluation of the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center in the New York City metro area.