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The true picture of climate change includes methane’s effects — locally, regionally and globally
Although carbon dioxide is the most prevalent greenhouse gas, methane is more potent, absorbing more energy and causing more heat in a shorter period of time. That’s why many environmentalists, policymakers and health experts are now calling for fast action on reducing methane pollution to both slow warming of the planet and improve air quality.
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After prison, freeing the mind through reading and writing
Free Minds started as a book club for imprisoned youth in the D.C. Jail 20 years ago. Gradually, the organization blossomed into something much larger, expanding its services to include book clubs and writing workshops for youth and adults in the D.C. Jail, juvenile detention center and federal prison system. Its reentry program for those released from prison includes job training, placement services and peer mentoring.
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Access to tobacco products, including vapes, and proximity of retailers pose challenge for youth
Despite efforts to reduce youth tobacco use, and dropping rates of cigarette smoking, overall use of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes or vapes, remains disturbingly high. While peers are the biggest influence on whether young people smoke or vape, accessibility to tobacco products and proximity to retailers are also important.
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Lifelong friends Larry Owens and Donald Shakir use creativity to navigate mental health after prison
Because of the 2012 ruling, both were released from prison. Owens, now 70, spent nearly 44 years inside; Shakir, now 69, spent 41 years. Together, they dealt with feelings of grief, isolation, and hopelessness. Then and now, they use art to cope.
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Col. Myles Caggins III brings commitment to public service, journalism, and mentoring to YMG Board
Caggins said he learned from his military work that journalism is indispensable to the existence of an informed public, and said he aims to inspire the journalists of tomorrow by seeing how federal and international government systems affect their communities.
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AccesSOS brings emergency services to deaf community
With the upcoming nationwide launch of the 988 hotline, the mental health emergency line that will go live this month, AccesSOS is also making a crucial push: moving away from contacting police as primary emergency responders in an effort to center mental health and support the decriminalization of mental illness.
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YMG student journalists review new Ken Burns documentary on youth mental illness
The film depicts the daily lives of these young people, and shows how they deal with issues such as stigma, discrimination, awareness, and silence.
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Climate gentrification: Rising seas lift home prices in drier Miami neighborhoods
Tougher building codes and the risks of building on the coast have caused developers to move towards higher-altitude, inland neighborhoods. The new luxury buildings raise property values, increasing mortgages and rents.
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Call 988? New mental health hotline faces many hurdles as launch looms. Just ask Ohio
Although the transition to 988 is mandated by federal law, the job of overseeing and staffing local call centers – as well as the bulk of the funding to make these things possible – has fallen to state and local governments.
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College Corner: Original YMG student says her experience was 'crucial' to landing fellowship
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Illegal dumping in the Bronx isn’t just ugly – it’s a health hazard
YMG intern Yesenia Barrios reports on the health consequences of illegal dumping in a story published in the Bronx Times.
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‘I thought I was the only one’: Peer support groups help teens fight loneliness, isolation of COVID-19 pandemic
Student-written piece from our Fall 2021 reporting workshop on the impact of peer support groups in the wake of the pandemic. Also published in The Afro.
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The student journalists of Youthcast Media Group
Highlighting some of our multitalented and diverse group of student journalists.
We're no longer Urban Health Media Project, but no matter our name, the mission is the same: To train middle school students through college interns from under-resourced communities to create multimedia journalism that highlights solutions to the health, wealth and social disparities where they live. We like our new name, and hope you do, too!
YMG in the News
YMG students from across the country cover the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on young Americans' mental health.
Featured Story
“If you come across a police officer, and the police officer touches you, how will you react?”
What we've been working on
Students who participate in the Youthcast Media Group work on stories about various social issues such as teen suicide, domestic violence, poverty and mental health stigma. They interview doctors, journalists, politicians and other experts about these issues. Students write and produce their own articles and use facts and statistics to support their points. In addition to writing, students have the opportunity to learn, hands-on, how to use the cameras to shoot photos and capture video and audio.
Surviving trauma: Students chronicle resilience
Through guest speakers, individual research and reporting this past fall, student journalists explored ways in which people are struggling, surviving, and thriving despite the disproportionate effect the pandemic, economic collapse and soaring city violence are having on already marginalized communities. Their stories have been published on the YMG website; many are also being printed in newspapers in and near their communities.
263
student journalists trained
23
articles and videos in USA Today publications
43
articles in Black, Hispanic and health publications
9
student presentations at conferences, webinars
2M+
readers reached