The media as an approach to adolescent health education.

A series of eight 60-second dialogues was cooperatively produced by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department's Adolescent Clinic and KTAC Radio, Tacoma, Washington. The format was one in which the radio announcer made a statement concerning adolescent health, followed by an adolescent's asking a specific health question, a response being made by a health professional, and the announcer's concluding by giving a local resource and phone number. Included in this series were questions about weight reduction, scoliosis, headaches, hypertension, sexually transmitted diseases, temper and anger, stress, and fatigue. The dialogues were aired ten times a day at times appropriate for the adolescent listener. In addition to acquainting the adolescent with clinic and community services, this series gave answers to many developmental questions that may influence the adolescent's behavior and self-concept.