African-Americans account for nearly 70 percent of all new HIV/AIDS cases; sexually transmitted diseases are high among adolescents; and teen pregnancy rates may be rising again. Text messaging and other forms of technology may be one way to help address such daunting public health issues.

Using such technology was just one of many issues discussed at a two-day health policy symposium for the New York State Department of Health, organized by Cornell's ACT for Youth Center of Excellence at the Cornell Club in New York City, Feb. 2-3.

More than a dozen experts on adolescent sexual health attended, including those with expertise in adolescent sexual behavior; disparities in access to adolescent sexual health services, information and education; and how environments and relationships impact adolescent sexual health. In addition, a five-member youth panel offered insights into the issues.

"It was a real coming together of the top experts in the field, and it provided a fresh look at this issue," said Jane Powers, Ph.D. '85, a senior research associate and project director of the ACT for Youth Center of Excellence, which is based in Cornell's Family Life Development Center. The ACT for Youth Center of Excellence works with communities and youth-serving organizations across New York to promote adolescent health.

One of the event's speakers was Deb Levine '85, founder and executive director of Internet Sexuality Information Services, a nonprofit organization that develops innovative ways to promote sexual health using the Web, mobile phones and PDAs.

"Today's youth are plugged in," Levine said. "Technology is not a tool for them -- it's an integrated part of life. Young people learn from repetition, which is why it is important to reach out to youth via all media available with critical sexual health messages."

Levine offered the example of a text messaging service in San Francisco that answers such questions as what to do if a condom breaks, providing information about the possible consequences and contact numbers for local STD screening and emergency contraception.

"We wanted an opportunity to look at what the current research is on the topic and to have an opportunity to ask the experts in the field to help guide the department in establishing policies for the next decade," said Kristine Mesler, the health department's associate bureau director of child and adolescent health.

Sheri Hall is assistant director of communications in the College of Human Ecology.