The Journal of Adolescent Health (JAH) is the official publication of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. One of the society's primary goals is the development, synthesis, and dissemination of scientific and scholarly knowledge unique to the health needs of young people. In our fourth year of the JAH Distinguished Dozen initiative, we amplify important contributions to the field published in JAH in 2023 [1Ford C.A. Boyer C.B. Gordon C.M. et al.The distinguished dozen: 2020 journal of adolescent health articles making distinguished contributions to adolescent and young adult health.J Adolescent Health. 2021; 68: 435-438Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar, 2Ford C.A. Boyer C.B. Halpern C.T. et al.The distinguished dozen: 2021 journal of adolescent health articles making distinguished contributions to adolescent and young adult health.J Adolescent Health. 2022; 70: 517-520Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar, 3Ford C.A. Boyer C.B. Halpern C.T. et al.The distinguished dozen: 2022 Journal of adolescent health articles making distinguished contributions to adolescent and young adult health.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 161-164Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar]. Selection of articles is based on the results of peer review. JAH asks all peer reviewers: “Does this manuscript merit special consideration in the Journal's monthly and/or annual collections of particularly important research?” Reviewers who responded affirmatively are encouraged to offer explanatory comments. In total, 284 scientific articles were published in JAH during the 2023 calendar year. Of these, 84 were nominated by at least one peer reviewer, and 11 were nominated by 2 or more. Those 11 articles and a 12th chosen by the Journal's Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editors have been selected for their distinguished contributions to the field of adolescent and young adult health. The 2023 JAH Distinguished Dozen are presented below. Two selected articles focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and well-being of young people [[4]Auger N. Low N. Chadi N. et al.Suicide attempts in children aged 10-14 years during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 899-905Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar,[5]Cénat J.M. Farahi S.M. Rousseau C. et al.Prevalence and factors related to PTSD and depression symptoms among children and adolescents survivors and orphans of Ebola virus disease in DR Congo.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: 1019-1029Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (0) Google Scholar]. One study provides a nuanced description of suicide attempts over the first and second waves of the pandemic in Canada and how attempts varied by gender and age [[4]Auger N. Low N. Chadi N. et al.Suicide attempts in children aged 10-14 years during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 899-905Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar]. The second study documents the tremendous mental health impact of serial experiences with frightening infectious disease outbreaks among youth in Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic has revived fears and traumatic memories in child survivors and orphans of other infectious diseases such as the Ebola virus [[5]Cénat J.M. Farahi S.M. Rousseau C. et al.Prevalence and factors related to PTSD and depression symptoms among children and adolescents survivors and orphans of Ebola virus disease in DR Congo.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: 1019-1029Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (0) Google Scholar]. Four selected articles focused on transgender health and health care [[6]Turban J.L. Dolotina B. Freitag T.M. et al.Age of realization and disclosure of gender identity among transgender adults.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 852-859Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar,9Thoma B.C. Jardas E.J. Choukas-Bradley S. Salk R.H. Perceived gender transition progress, gender congruence, and mental health symptoms among transgender adolescents.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 444-451Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar, 10Espinoza S.M. Brown C. Gower A.L. et al.Sport and physical activity among transgender, gender diverse, and questioning adolescents.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 303-306Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar, 11Hughes L. Gamarel K.E. Restar A.J. et al.Adolescent providers' experiences of harassment related to delivering gender-affirming care.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: 672-678Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Google Scholar]. In many states in the United States, policies are being enacted to restrict transgender adolescents' access to gender-affirming medical care. Three selected studies look at the physical, mental, and social health of transgender youth, with one focusing on testing of the concept of “rapid-onset gender dysphoria,” which has been used as a foundation for advancing antitransgender legislation [[6]Turban J.L. Dolotina B. Freitag T.M. et al.Age of realization and disclosure of gender identity among transgender adults.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 852-859Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar,[9]Thoma B.C. Jardas E.J. Choukas-Bradley S. Salk R.H. Perceived gender transition progress, gender congruence, and mental health symptoms among transgender adolescents.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 444-451Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar,[10]Espinoza S.M. Brown C. Gower A.L. et al.Sport and physical activity among transgender, gender diverse, and questioning adolescents.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 303-306Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar]. A fourth study examines the targeted harassment of adolescent gender-affirming care providers, which prompted a statement of support from the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine [[12]Society for Adolescent Health and MedicineSAHM supports protecting access to gender-affirming clinical care for transgender and nonbinary AYA.Date accessed: October 26, 2023Google Scholar]. Four additional articles focused on sexual health and reproductive health care. One study from Indonesia focused on the challenges of creating comprehensive sexuality education programs in relatively conservative societies and contexts [[13]van Reeuwijk M. Rahmah A. Mmari K. Creating an enabling environment for a comprehensive sexuality education intervention in Indonesia: Findings from an implementation research study.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: S15-S20Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Google Scholar]. Another study focused on understanding the relationships between substance use and sexual behaviors among sexual minority adolescent males [[14]Cain D. Salsabilian B. Jones S.S. Starks T.J. Substance use, sexual agreements, and sexual risk behaviors among adolescent sexual minority males (aged 13-17) in the United States.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: 746-752Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (0) Google Scholar]. Reproductive health care was an especially important topic this year in the United States, given the Supreme Court's Dobbs versus Jackson decision, which limited access to abortion care. One study focused on United States pediatric residents' perspectives on long-acting reversible contraceptive training, and another study with an accompanying editorial reinforced the need for providers and adolescents and young adults to understand the legal landscape of abortion and the impact of such changes in that landscape [[15]Krass P. Sieke E.H. Joshi P. et al.Pediatric resident perspectives on long-acting reversible contraception training: A cross-sectional survey of accreditation council for graduate medical education trainees.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 964-971Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar,[16]Allison B.A. Vear K. Hoopes A.J. Maslowsky J. Adolescent awareness of the changing legal landscape of abortion in the United States and its Implications.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: 230-236Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Google Scholar]. Finally, 2 articles highlighted the importance of health inequities research. One study advances prior research on early-onset puberty by providing preliminary evidence on the association of neighborhood racial and economic privilege with pubertal timing and racial/ethnic disparities [[18]Acker J. Mujahid M. Aghaee S. et al.Neighborhood racial and economic privilege and timing of pubertal onset in girls.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 419-427Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar]. Another study offers an exploration of Indigenous youth suicidality at the intersection of sexual orientation and Indigenous status in the United States [[19]Schuler A. Wedel A. Kelsey S.W. et al.Suicidality by sexual identity and correlates among American Indian and Alaska native high school students.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: 1030-1037Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (0) Google Scholar]. Suicide Attempts in Children Aged 10–14 Years During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Auger N, Low N, Chadi N, Israël M, Steiger H, Lewin A, Ayoub A, Healy-Profitós J, Luu TM. The lives of adolescents were totally disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to mitigate its transmission, with school closures and lockdowns restricting adolescents' lives. The detrimental effects on many adolescents' mental health are now well-documented, at least in high-income countries. Previous studies in the United States, Mexico, and Spain had shown increases in suicide attempts in 10- to 19-year-old girls but not boys, and data from the Republic of Korea did not show this increase. This study in Quebec, Canada, tested the hypothesis that suicide attempts may have particularly increased in younger adolescent girls (10–14 years) [[4]Auger N. Low N. Chadi N. et al.Suicide attempts in children aged 10-14 years during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 899-905Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar]. The results showed that suicide attempts that required hospital admissions decreased for both boys and girls aged 10–14 years during the first COVID-19 wave (March to August 2020). However, rates increased sharply during the second pandemic wave (September 2020 to March 2021) for young adolescent girls, while rates for male adolescents (10–14 and 15–19 years) and for older adolescent girls (15–19 years) returned to prepandemic levels. The authors provide interesting ideas related to reasons for these age and gender-related differences. Prevalence and Factors Related to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Symptoms among Children and Adolescent Survivors and Orphans of Ebola Virus Disease in Democratic Republic of the Congo Eastern Regions During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Cénat JM, Farahi SM, Rousseau C, Bukaka J, Darius WP, Derivois D, Dalexis R, Luyeye N. The conflict-affected Eastern Regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo suffered a major Ebola epidemic between August 2018 and June 2020, with a total of 3,481 confirmed or probable cases and 2,299 deaths. Although most of the cases were adults, 29% (n = 1002) were children or adolescents younger than the age of 18 years. Previous studies have shown that 20%–30% of the adult survivors suffered from depression and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study was conducted among children and adolescents aged 7–18 years in October 2020, roughly four months after the end of the Ebola epidemic [[5]Cénat J.M. Farahi S.M. Rousseau C. et al.Prevalence and factors related to PTSD and depression symptoms among children and adolescents survivors and orphans of Ebola virus disease in DR Congo.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: 1019-1029Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (0) Google Scholar]. The investigators traced 146 Ebola survivors and 267 orphans, 34 of whom were also survivors. Questionnaires assessing depression and PTSD symptoms, traumatic experiences, and stigma related to Ebola and COVID-19 were administered to these 413 study participants. The results showed staggeringly high prevalence of symptoms suggestive of depression (87%) and PTSD (44%). Both were most common in orphan-survivors (depression 100% and PTSD 97%), then survivors (90% and 76%) and orphans (83% and 17%). Experience of traumatic events as measured by the 17-item life events checklist for DSM-5, and reporting either Ebola or COVID-19 stigmatization were positively associated with symptoms suggestive of depression and PTSD. Given widespread poverty and the effects of the conflict, few if any mental health or other support services were available to these young survivors and orphans from the Ebola epidemic, but clearly their need is great. Furthermore, similar studies in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo among adult survivors of the 2018–2020 Ebola epidemic have shown substantial but much lower prevalence of depression and/or PTSD, emphasizing the particular importance of providing care and support to children and adolescent survivors and orphans of Ebola. Age of Realization and Disclosure of Gender Identity Among Transgender Adults. Turban JL, Dolotina B, Freitag TM, King D, Keuroghlian AS. Turban et al. [[6]Turban J.L. Dolotina B. Freitag T.M. et al.Age of realization and disclosure of gender identity among transgender adults.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 852-859Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar] used data from the 2015 US Transgender Survey to evaluate the “rapid-onset gender dysphoria” (ROGD) hypothesis, which asserts that dysphoria in individuals who first realize they are not cisgender after pubertal onset is due to “social contagion,” or underlying mental illness, or that the transgender/gender diverse (TGD) identity is a “maladaptive coping mechanism.” The ROGD hypothesis also argues that the onset of TGD identity is “rapid,” temporary, and occurs in a context devoid of any prior history of questioning gender identity. Empirical testing of this hypothesis is important not only because of the methodological weaknesses in the original study proposing the hypothesis, but also because the hypothesis is often cited in media and has been used as a foundation for advancing antitransgender legislation. The United States Transgender Survey includes information from more than 27,000 TGD individuals. Analyses indicate that postpubertal TGD identification is common (∼40% of respondents) and that sharing that identity with others (such as parents) typically occurs years later, likely causing the appearance of “rapid onset” to parents or other reporters. These important findings provide no support for the ROGD hypothesis nor for the policies that have been promoted based on the ROGD hypothesis. A Letter to the Editor about this article and a response from the authors were published in the November 2023 issue of JAH [[7]Kulatunga-Moruzi C. Research and analyses by Turban et al. fail to refute rapid-onset gender dysphoria.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: 1162Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (0) Google Scholar,[8]Turban J.L. Dolotina B. Freitag T.M. Rapid-onset gender dysphoria is not a recognized mental health diagnosis.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: 1163-1164Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (0) Google Scholar]. Perceived gender transition progress, gender congruence, and mental health symptoms among transgender adolescents. Thoma BC, Jardas EJ, Choukas-Bradley S, Salk RH. Thoma et al. [[9]Thoma B.C. Jardas E.J. Choukas-Bradley S. Salk R.H. Perceived gender transition progress, gender congruence, and mental health symptoms among transgender adolescents.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 444-451Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar] examined associations between perceived gender transition progress, gender congruence (i.e., the feeling that their body matches their gender identity), and mental health symptoms in a diverse, nationwide, cross-sectional sample (N = 1,943) of transgender adolescents (TGAs) using an online survey. Results indicate that greater transition progress was associated with higher gender congruence, and higher gender congruence was associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. TGAs identifying with binary identities (transmasculine and transfeminine youth) reported lower levels of transition progress and gender congruence compared to other subgroups of TGAs. Research findings underscore the need for mental health interventions that are tailored to the unique developmental needs of TGAs and that address their transition progress and gender congruence. Sport and physical activity among transgender, gender diverse, and questioning adolescents. Espinoza SM, Brown C, Gower AL, Eisenberg ME, McPherson LE, Rider GN. Using data from the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey (N = 125,375), Espinoza et al. [[10]Espinoza S.M. Brown C. Gower A.L. et al.Sport and physical activity among transgender, gender diverse, and questioning adolescents.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 303-306Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar] compared rates of sport and physical activity (PA) of transgender and gender diverse adolescents and adolescents questioning their gender (TGDQ) with those of cisgender adolescents, and additionally tested for differences in sport and PA among TGDQ adolescents. Results reveal that TGDQ adolescents participated in sport and PA less than cisgender adolescents, and TGD youth participated in these activities less than questioning youth. This research emphasized the need for clinicians to support transgender and gender diverse youth in getting the same level of PA that all adolescents need. Adolescent Providers' Experiences of Harassment related to Delivering Gender-Affirming Care. Hughes L, Gamarel KE, Restar AJ, Sequeira GM, Dowshen N, Regan K, Kidd KM. The politicization of adolescent gender-affirming care has occurred alongside targeted harassment (e.g., threats of violence, doxing or online harassment, bomb threats) of adolescent gender-affirming care providers across the United States. In this study, Hughes et al. [[11]Hughes L. Gamarel K.E. Restar A.J. et al.Adolescent providers' experiences of harassment related to delivering gender-affirming care.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: 672-678Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Google Scholar] explored providers' experiences of targeted harassment. In the fall of 2022, 117 gender-affirming care providers from across the United States completed a survey about the kinds of harassment they experienced and its impact on their lives and practices. Survey respondents reported harassment through social media, mail, and phone, including deception, protests, and death and bomb threats. The targeted harassment these care providers are experiencing was reported to affect their ability to deliver care to transgender and gender-diverse adolescents and their families. Institutional support was viewed by providers as essential to ensure their safety. In coordination with publication of the Hughes et al. study, SAHM released a statement of support to the press, stating that it is SAHM's professional responsibility to ensure that all adolescents and young adults, including transgender and nonbinary youth, have access to health, equity, and well-being [[12]Society for Adolescent Health and MedicineSAHM supports protecting access to gender-affirming clinical care for transgender and nonbinary AYA.Date accessed: October 26, 2023Google Scholar]. This responsibility includes protecting access to gender-affirming clinical care for transgender and nonbinary adolescents and young adults. As Hughes and his colleagues state in their article, “Gender affirmation refers to the social, psychological, legal, and medical affirmation of one's gender identity and is critical to the health and well-being of transgender and non-binary adolescents” [[11]Hughes L. Gamarel K.E. Restar A.J. et al.Adolescent providers' experiences of harassment related to delivering gender-affirming care.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: 672-678Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Google Scholar]. SAHM's statement outlines specific recommendations to protect access to gender-affirming clinical care for transgender and nonbinary adolescents and young adults [[12]Society for Adolescent Health and MedicineSAHM supports protecting access to gender-affirming clinical care for transgender and nonbinary AYA.Date accessed: October 26, 2023Google Scholar]. Creating an Enabling Environment for a Comprehensive Sexuality Education Intervention in Indonesia: Findings from an Implementation Research Study. van Reeuwijk, M, Rahmah A, Mmari, K. This implementation research study in Indonesia is impressive because it highlights key factors that facilitated and hindered creating an enabling environment for the implementation of a comprehensive sexuality education intervention in schools [[13]van Reeuwijk M. Rahmah A. Mmari K. Creating an enabling environment for a comprehensive sexuality education intervention in Indonesia: Findings from an implementation research study.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: S15-S20Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Google Scholar]. Comprehensive sexuality education programs are notoriously controversial, especially in relatively conservative societies and contexts. The study showed the importance of investing time from the start in ensuring that government officials, teachers, parents, and the broader community really understand the objectives and content of the curriculum and in gaining their trust and support for the program. Combatting myths and misinformation, including that comprehensive sexuality education will promote increased sexual experimentation by adolescents, is essential. This study reinforces the usefulness of implementation research, both for understanding what has worked well and less well, and for providing ideas for how the program itself might be improved. For example, findings suggested that providing some of the program through digital channels might be beneficial. Substance Use, Sexual Agreements, and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Adolescent Sexual Minority Males (Aged 13–17) in the United States. Cain D, Salsabilian B, Jones SS, Starks TJ. Despite extensive literature examining relationships between substance use and sexual risk taking (e.g., condomless anal sex [CAS]) among adult sexual minority males, few studies have examined these relationships in adolescents. Given developmental changes, different patterns of associations among adolescents are plausible. Cain et al. [[14]Cain D. Salsabilian B. Jones S.S. Starks T.J. Substance use, sexual agreements, and sexual risk behaviors among adolescent sexual minority males (aged 13-17) in the United States.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: 746-752Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (0) Google Scholar] used online survey data from almost 3,000 13- to 17-year-old males to test associations between substance use and CAS with casual partners among adolescent sexual minority males (ASMM). They also evaluated whether sexual agreements about monogamy between main partners moderate these associations, which has rarely been examined. The authors found that although some observed associations were similar to those seen in studies of adult SMM (e.g., illicit drug use is associated with the occurrence and frequency of CAS with casual partners), there were meaningful differences in adolescent versus adult patterns. Cain et al. found that partnered ASMM are among those at highest risk of substance use and HIV transmission and that nonmonogamous ASMM are the most likely to use illicit drugs. Findings also indicate that nonmonogamous sexual agreements lead to more frequent sexual risk behaviors. Future research examining circumstances in which ASMM are engaging in CAS with main and casual partners could inform targeted sexual health education and prevention efforts. Pediatric Resident Perspectives on Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Training: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Trainees. Krass P, Sieke EH, Joshi P, Akers AY, Wood SM. In the United States, the majority of teens see a pediatrician for their primary care. It is crucial that these young people have access to comprehensive health care, including contraception to manage their reproductive health. This study invited pediatric residents in the United States to participate in a survey assessing comfort with placing long-acting reversible contraception devices and interest in long-acting reversible contraception training during pediatric residency [[15]Krass P. Sieke E.H. Joshi P. et al.Pediatric resident perspectives on long-acting reversible contraception training: A cross-sectional survey of accreditation council for graduate medical education trainees.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 964-971Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar]. More than 600 pediatric residents in 77 residency programs completed the survey, and most believed that training on contraceptive implants (72.3%) and IUDs (62.5%) should be included in their training. However, few reported comforts with inserting contraceptive implants (13.6%) or IUDs (6.3%). This study highlights a gap in pediatric reproductive healthcare education. As more adolescents become interested in long-acting reversible contraception, the pediatric workforce needs appropriate training to build their skills to provide these contraceptive methods to their adolescent patients. Such skills would expand the workforce that can provide reproductive health services for youth, thus improving access to reproductive health care and meeting the needs of adolescent patients. Adolescent Awareness of the Changing Legal Landscape of Abortion in the United States and Its Implications. Allison BA, Vear K, Hoopes AJ, Maslowsky J. Allison et al. [[16]Allison B.A. Vear K. Hoopes A.J. Maslowsky J. Adolescent awareness of the changing legal landscape of abortion in the United States and its Implications.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: 230-236Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Google Scholar] designed this study to examine adolescent and young adults' awareness and knowledge about the legal landscape of abortion and how changes might affect them. This qualitative study used data collected on May 20, 2022 (18 days after the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion on the Dobbs case), via the MyVoice project, which is a nationwide longitudinal weekly text message poll of 14- to 24-year-old individuals designed to elicit youth perspectives on policies and practices that impact their well-being. The team fielded 5 open-ended questions to MyVoice on youths' thoughts about abortion, how they get information on abortion, their understanding of changes to abortion access, their feelings about potential changes, and factors they consider when deciding whether or not to have an abortion. A total of 654 young people completed the survey (response rate 79%) with a diversity of ages (mean age of 19.9 years), racial and ethnic identities, genders, and geographies. Most adolescents were aware of potential changes to abortion access. Overall, negative emotions including anger, fear and sadness were noted about the changing legal landscape. When considering the pros and cons for abortion decisions, adolescents most often discussed money, their future, age, education, maturity, and emotional stability. The majority of adolescents and young adults cited the Internet and social media as their primary sources of information about abortions, even more than talking with their peers, parents, teachers, or clinicians. The study highlights the importance of listening to and understanding young peoples' perspectives, needs, and preferences to effectively adapt reproductive healthcare options and resources. Giving youth a voice on important health issues may help them make positive health choices amid this complicated landscape. Finally, there is a need for high quality, safe, and evidence-based information on reproductive healthcare options that leverage social media and the Internet, places where adolescents and young adults already go to seek information about abortion. Editorial: Adolescents and Abortion Restrictions: Disproportionate Burdens and Critical Warnings. Ralph L and Hasselbacher L. A guest editorial on Allison et al. highlights the ramifications of the Supreme Court's overturning of federal protections for abortion in its Dobbs versus Jackson Women's Health Organization decision. Ralph and Hasselbacher [[17]Ralph L. Hasselbacher L. Adolescents and abortion restrictions: Disproportionate burdens and critical warnings.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: 221-223Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar] outline the outsized impacts of the Supreme Court's decision on adolescents. Their piece raises an alarm regarding the significant erosion of health and rights as antiabortion efforts to broaden restrictions include banning mifepristone and criminalizing the assistance of a person aged younger than 18 years in traveling out of state to get a wanted abortion [[13]van Reeuwijk M. Rahmah A. Mmari K. Creating an enabling environment for a comprehensive sexuality education intervention in Indonesia: Findings from an implementation research study.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: S15-S20Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Google Scholar]. Neighborhood Racial and Economic Privilege and Timing of Pubertal Onset in Girls. Acker J, Mujahid M, Aghaee S, Gomez S, Shariff-Marco S, Chu B, Deardorff J, Kubo A. Early puberty has been shown to be associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes throughout life. Furthermore, previous studies have shown that non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic girls experience puberty earlier than non-Hispanic White girls. In this study, Acker et al. [[18]Acker J. Mujahid M. Aghaee S. et al.Neighborhood racial and economic privilege and timing of pubertal onset in girls.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 419-427Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar] set out to understand the drivers of pubertal timing and racial and ethnic disparities. The research team sampled a multiethnic cohort of 46,299 girls from over 2,500 neighborhoods born between 2005–2011 at Kaiser Permanente Northern California medical facilities who were followed up until 2021. Pediatricians assessed pubertal development using the Sexual Maturity Rating scale. The Index of Concentration at the Extremes tool was used to assess the amount of neighborhood racial and economic privilege. The Index of Concentration at the Extremes has emerged as a promising tool for monitoring place-based health inequities, and it is designed to capture the multidimensional nature of structural racism by quantifying spatial concentrations of both racial and economic privilege/disadvantage in a single metric. Previous research on early-onset puberty in young adults has primarily focused on individual factors such as obesity and race alone as correlating with racial and ethnic differences, whereas this study provides preliminary evidence that neighborhood racial and economic privilege is associated with pubertal timing and racial/ethnic disparities. This study underscores the importance of understanding the socio-cultural drivers of pubertal timing. Furthermore, this work has laid the foundation for advancing policies that could potentially impact racially segregated and economically vulnerable neighborhoods in efforts to reduce health inequities among racially marginalized girls. Suicidality by Sexual Identity and Correlates Among American Indian and Alaska Native High School Students. Schuler A, Wedel A, Kelsey SW, Wang X, Quiballo K, Floresca YB, Phillips II G, Beach LB. This study offers an important exploration of Indigenous youth suicidality at the intersection of sexual orientation and Indigenous status in the United States. Schuler et al. [[19]Schuler A. Wedel A. Kelsey S.W. et al.Suicidality by sexual identity and correlates among American Indian and Alaska native high school students.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 73: 1030-1037Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (0) Google Scholar] pooled data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey from 2005 to 2019 to analyze the prevalence of sexual minorities, forced sex, and binge drinking, and their association with suicidality among American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) adolescents. Consistent with previous studies, the authors found that a higher percentage of AI/AN participants reported rates of suicidal thoughts, planning, and attempts compared to the overall Youth Risk Behavior Survey youth population. A higher percentage of AI/AN adolescents who reported suicidal thoughts identified as bisexual, lesbian/gay, or not sure when compared to nationwide Youth Risk Behavior Survey sampling. The authors observed heightened suicidality in sexual minority youth compared to their heterosexual counterparts. The findings, which identified minority stress as a contributor to higher risk of suicidality, underscore the need for culturally competent healthcare interventions, particularly those that address the intersection of multiple minority identities. Additional research focused on the AI/AN population by Barry et al. [[20]Barry C.M. Livingston M.D. Livingston B.J. et al.School racial composition as a moderator of the effect of discrimination on mental health and substance use among American Indian adolescents.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 74: 44-50Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (1) Google Scholar] expands these findings and is accompanied by a guest editorial by White [20Barry C.M. Livingston M.D. Livingston B.J. et al.School racial composition as a moderator of the effect of discrimination on mental health and substance use among American Indian adolescents.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 74: 44-50Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (1) Google Scholar, 21White E. Racial discrimination, school racial composition, and anxiety symptoms in American Indian adolescents.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 74: 1-2Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (0) Google Scholar] in our January 2024 issue. In conclusion, we are delighted to highlight these 12 2023 JAH articles that collectively make distinguished contributions to the field of adolescent and young adult health. We are committed to publishing important high-quality science to inform programs, practices, and policies that will improve the health and well-being of all young people and promote health equity. We wish to express our sincere appreciation to the JAH peer reviewers who contributed to the selection process. Congratulations to all contributing authors. JAH presents this collection in the spirit of our mission to synthesize and disseminate important scientific and scholarly knowledge unique to the health needs of adolescents and young adults.

The Journal of Adolescent Health (JAH) was launched in 1980. It is the official journal of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) [[1]Society for adolescent health and medicine.https://www.adolescenthealth.org/Home.aspxDate accessed: November 21, 2022Google Scholar] which is based in the United States of America. SAHM is a multidisciplinary professional organization with strong domestic and international membership. JAH aims to mirror this as a multidisciplinary scientific journal dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all adolescents and young adults (AYAs). The journal is committed to promoting and improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at all levels, including within the leadership, the editorial board, peer reviewers, authors, and journal content [[2]Ford C.A. Boyer C.B. Gordon C.M. et al.The Journal of Adolescent Health’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 315-318Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (2) Google Scholar]. This is of fundamental importance in a scholarly journal dedicated to informing strategies to improve AYA health equity and reduce AYA health disparities across the globe. Within this context, dimensions of diversity related to geography and country income warrant specific focus. Over the past 2 years, JAH's leadership has reviewed the extent to which our commitment to DEI is represented in the content of the articles published in the journal and has sought to identify areas for improvement. In this commentary, we summarize JAH's efforts that have focused on the geographic origin of manuscripts submitted to, and published by the journal, and the actions we are taking to promote DEI within this context. In addition, we invite suggestions from our readership regarding additional steps that we could take to further promote geographical DEI within JAH. SAHM's membership is open to “all health professionals throughout the world who are involved in healthcare or service delivery, teaching, research, and advocacy related to the health and well-being of all AYAs” [[1]Society for adolescent health and medicine.https://www.adolescenthealth.org/Home.aspxDate accessed: November 21, 2022Google Scholar]. Although there are 19 regional SAHM membership chapters within the United States, there is also an International Chapter for members who reside outside the United States [[1]Society for adolescent health and medicine.https://www.adolescenthealth.org/Home.aspxDate accessed: November 21, 2022Google Scholar]. Currently, approximately 90% of SAHM members have a primary institutional affiliation in the United States. All members of SAHM receive the journal each month. JAH is a global journal that aims to publish the most important articles related to AYA health worldwide. Articles of all types can be submitted to JAH by anyone irrespective of their professional affiliation or the geographical area represented in the article. Official SAHM Position Papers from the SAHM Board of Directors are also published in JAH. Since the early 2000s, the journal's criteria for accepting manuscripts, irrespective of the geographical location of authors, site of data collection and research, or content have not changed and were recently published in the journal [[2]Ford C.A. Boyer C.B. Gordon C.M. et al.The Journal of Adolescent Health’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 315-318Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (2) Google Scholar]. Submissions that potentially meet these criteria are peer reviewed and final decisions are based on a minimum of two, but preferably three, completed peer reviews. In 2010, Pierre-Andre Michaud, who was then JAH's Associate Editor for international (i.e., non-United States–based) health, Tor Berg, the Managing Editor, and Charles Irwin, who was then the journal's Editor-in-Chief, reviewed information regarding the geographic location of the corresponding authors of 173 articles published by JAH in 2009 [[3]Michaud P.-A. Berg T.D. Irwin C.E. The international journal of adolescent health.J Adolesc Health. 2010; 47: 421-422Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar]. This showed that 51 (29% of the total) articles were from outside the United States. The acceptance rate for peer-reviewed scientific articles submitted from the United States was 26%, whereas there was a 10.5% acceptance rate for articles originating outside the United States. Over the last 2 years, the JAH editorial team has reviewed the status of international submissions and publications to identify any changes since the 2010 review. Our findings indicate that the total number of articles of all types published by JAH has increased over the period from 2009 (173 articles published) to 2021 (285 articles published) and the 2-year impact factor for the journal has increased from 3.3 in 2011 to 7.8 in 2021. In their 2010 editorial, Michaud et al. stated that the editors of JAH “… want to increase the number of international articles in our pages” [[3]Michaud P.-A. Berg T.D. Irwin C.E. The international journal of adolescent health.J Adolesc Health. 2010; 47: 421-422Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar]. While this has clearly been achieved in terms of the absolute number of scientific articles from outside the United States published by the journal (51 articles in 2009; 62 in 2021), because the total number of scientific articles published per year has increased, the proportion of all the published scientific articles that came from outside the United States has decreased (29% in 2009; 22% in 2021). Specifically, excluding JAH Supplements, 1,982 scientific articles (original research, reviews, briefs, or clinical observations) were submitted to the journal for consideration in 2021. Based on the affiliation of the corresponding author when this information was reported (N = 1,950), 817 (41%) came from the United States. A further 487 (25%) were submitted by corresponding authors based in high-income countries, with Canada (n = 62 submissions), Spain (n = 55), Australia (n = 54), the United Kingdom (n = 50), and the Republic of Korea (n = 40) supplying the largest numbers of these. Four hundred (21%) submissions came from corresponding authors based in upper middle-income countries (UMICs), with corresponding authors from China (n = 216) submitting more than half of these. Only 246 (13%) came from corresponding authors based in lower middle-income or low-income countries (LMICs and LICs). A striking finding was that, as in 2009, in 2021 the acceptance rate remained much higher for articles where the corresponding author's affiliation was in the United States (188/817 = 23%) compared with those that were submitted from authors whose affiliation was not in the United States (73 1Note that the number of articles that were submitted in 2021 that were (ultimately) accepted differs from the number of articles that were published in 2021 because some articles that were accepted in 2020 were published in 2021 and some that were accepted in 2021 were published in 2022. For example, 62 scientific articles where the corresponding author's affiliation was outside the USA were published in 2021 whereas 73 scientific articles that were submitted in 2021 where the corresponding author's affiliation was outside the USA were (eventually) accepted./1,133 = 6%). The editorial team continues to examine reasons for this disparity. Potential reasons include that those articles where the corresponding author is not from the United States less often meet the explicit criteria for acceptance (i.e., alignment with the aims and scope of SAHM's professional journal, content that is new to the field, strong scientific design and execution, presentation in an organized manner, written in standard scientific English) [[2]Ford C.A. Boyer C.B. Gordon C.M. et al.The Journal of Adolescent Health’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 315-318Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (2) Google Scholar], or that there is unintentional selection bias within the journal's editorial or review processes. Further examination of the acceptance rates for articles from outside the United States indicates that the acceptance rates were considerably higher for manuscripts from corresponding authors based in high-income countries (39/487 = 8%) compared with those from UMICs (10/400 = 3%) but slightly lower than those from LMICs and LICs (24/246 = 10%). As a result of more than a third of the articles coming from the United States and their higher acceptance rate, the proportion of all scientific articles that were published in JAH in 2021 that were from outside the United States was 62 1Note that the number of articles that were submitted in 2021 that were (ultimately) accepted differs from the number of articles that were published in 2021 because some articles that were accepted in 2020 were published in 2021 and some that were accepted in 2021 were published in 2022. For example, 62 scientific articles where the corresponding author's affiliation was outside the USA were published in 2021 whereas 73 scientific articles that were submitted in 2021 where the corresponding author's affiliation was outside the USA were (eventually) accepted./285 = 22%. A limitation of the data summarized above is that it is based on the corresponding author and their institutional affiliation not the geographical area to which the research applies. Thus, for example, an article about research conducted in Thailand, Uruguay, or Malawi where the corresponding author gives a U.S. institution as their affiliation would be recorded as a submission from the United States. Similarly, an article about China where the corresponding author is a Chinese citizen affiliated with a U.S. institution would also be recorded as a submission from the United States. Furthermore, almost all the articles submitted to the scientific sections of the JAH have multiple authors and the journal’s publisher currently does not have a consistent and reliable mechanism in place for recording the affiliations of authors other than the corresponding author. Hence, an article where the corresponding author has a U.S. institutional affiliation, but where one or more of the other authors has a non-U.S. institutional affiliation would be recorded as a submission from the United States, or vice versa. To better account for such nuances, JAH's editorial leadership intends to create metrics that would enable us to better categorize the origination of journal submissions in multiple ways, based, as currently, on the corresponding author’s institutional affiliation but also based on the first author’s institutional affiliation, all the authors' institutional affiliations, and the location(s) where data were collected. JAH has always been committed to publishing high-quality research articles that promote health equity among all AYAs across the globe. As such JAH has adopted an explicit commitment to promoting DEI, including the geographical origins of the articles we publish [[2]Ford C.A. Boyer C.B. Gordon C.M. et al.The Journal of Adolescent Health’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.J Adolesc Health. 2023; 72: 315-318Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (2) Google Scholar]. Recognizing that this will require continuous multilevel strategies, clear initial actionable steps have been implemented.1.An International Working Group of volunteers from JAH's Editorial Board was constituted and is advising the editorial team (Acknowledgments). Several meetings have been held with the members of the International Working Group and updates are brought to the monthly meetings of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Editorial Analyst, and the Associate Editors. Members of the International Working Group reviewed 10 manuscripts that had been submitted to the journal where the corresponding author resided outside United States and reported whether they would have recommended that the manuscript be peer-reviewed. Although there was not unanimous consensus reflecting the degree of subjectivity in such decisions, the results generally mirrored the decisions that had been taken by the editorial team.2.JAH has clearly recognized the need to improve data collection. Since January 1, 2022, JAH has modified its data collection systems to include information on the geographic origin of data reported in each manuscript and to systematically collect information regarding the geographic location of all authors’ institutional affiliations, not just the corresponding author. These results will be reviewed after a 12-month period of data collection.3.JAH has devised a strategy to better understand reasons for rejection of manuscripts by the geographical characteristics outlined previously. This includes systematically recording the reason(s) for rejecting manuscripts.4.Since February 2021, JAH has published Infographics that are developed by the World Health Organization to display global data on AYA health [4The global all-cause morbidity and mortality burden in adolescents by country income groups, age, and sex..J Adolesc Health. 2021; 68: 6448Google Scholar, 5Guthold R. Baltag V. Katwan E. et al.Trends in adolescent population by country income groups (1980–2060).J Adolesc Health. 2021; 69: 16Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar, 6Guthold R. Baltag V. Katwan E. et al.The Top global causes of adolescent mortality and morbidity by age and sex, 2019.J Adolesc Health. 2021; 69: 540Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar, 7Akwara E. Guthold R. Chandra-Mouli V. Current Trends in child marriage.J Adolesc Health. 2021; 69: 894-895Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar, 8Sardinha L.M. García-Moreno C. Guthold R. Global estimated prevalence of physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence against ever-partnered women, by age, 2018.J Adolesc Health. 2022; 70: 846-847Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar, 9Marsh A.D. Guthold R. Availability and components of national adolescent health programs, by World Bank income group.J Adolesc Health. 2022; 71: 145-146Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar, 10Zhong Y. Lee L.Y. Tambyah P.A. et al.How can we best use COVID-19 vaccines in adolescents? An international perspective.J Adolesc Health. 2021; 69: 878-880Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (5) Google Scholar].5Over the past years, JAH has accepted an increasing number of commentaries, editorials, and letters related to global AYA health [11Guthold R. Baltag V. Katwan E. et al.Easy access to the latest global, regional, and national adolescent health data: The WHO maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and ageing data portal.J Adolesc Health. 2021; 68: 243-244Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Google Scholar, 12Gewirtz O'Brien J. Auerswald C. English A. et al.Youth experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic: Unique needs and practical strategies from international perspectives.J Adolesc Health. 2021; 68: 236-240Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (13) Google Scholar, 13Oketah N. Wokoma C. Klein J.D. et al.International adolescent health week: Nothing about Them without Them.J Adolesc Health. 2021; 68: 646-647Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar, 14Baltag V. Takeuchi Y. Guthold R. Ambresin A.-E. Assessing and supporting adolescents’ capacity for autonomous decision-making in health-care settings: New guidance from the World Health Organization.J Adolesc Health. 2022; 71: 10-13Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar].6JAH has continued to attract funded supplements that primarily focus on global AYA health. For example, five of the six supplements published in 2020–2021 focused on global AYA health (Table 1).Table 1Sponsored supplements to the Journal of Adolescent Health published in 2020 and 2021Cover dateVol/IssTitleNumber of articlesCountries includedGuest editorsFunderJanuary-2066/1SGender Norms and Adolescent Health7Brazil, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, United States, and ZambiaMargaret Greene, George PattonBill & Melinda Gates FoundationJune-2066/6SUnderstanding Adolescent Health and Wellbeing in Context: Cross-National Findings from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study1045 countries that participated in the 2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children surveyJason NagataWorld Health Organization European Office and the University of GlasgowAugust-2067/2SInnovative Digital Technologies to Improve Adolescent and Young Adult Health6United StatesLena SanciU.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesNovember-2067/5SAdolescent Health in China: Epidemiology, Policy, Financing, and Service Provision6People's Republic of ChinaLi LiuUnited NationsChildren's Fund (UNICEF)July-2163/1SPerceptions of Gender Norms and Adolescent Health: findings from the Global Early Adolescent Study8Belgium, People's Republic of China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, and IndonesiaElizabeth SaewycBill & Melinda Gates FoundationDecember-2163/6SThe Diversity and Complexity of Child Marriage8Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Tanzania, and ZambiaRonald Olum, Eunice Muthengi, Venkatraman Chandra-MouliBill & Melinda Gates Foundation Open table in a new tab 7In light of discussions within the International Working Group and the editorial team, JAH's editorial leadership continued to expand the number and proportion of editorial board members and of peer reviewers who either come from or work in countries outside of the United States including UMIC, LMIC, and LICs. In addition, we plan to increase the involvement of our editorial board members with content expertise in regions outside of the United States in the review process.8JAH is exploring the possibility of establishing a mentorship program in which LMIC researchers with results that are ready for manuscript development are paired with mentors on the JAH editorial board and/or within the SAHM membership. The objective would be for mentees to work with their mentors to prepare articles that are suitable for publication within the journal.9JAH's “Guide for Authors” has been reviewed and revised to ensure that issues faced by authors from outside the United States are specifically addressed [[15]Journal of Adolescent Health. Guide for authors. Available at: https://www.jahonline.org/content/authorinfo. Accessed November 21, 2022.Google Scholar]. JAH has increasingly offered corresponding authors the opportunity to resubmit their manuscript if it meets the criteria outlined above but is poorly presented in its initial submission. Authors are encouraged to take advantage of the Language Editing Services [[16]Elsevier. Language editing services. Available at: https://webshop.elsevier.com/language-editing-services/language-editing/. Accessed November 21, 2022.Google Scholar] provided by Elsevier if they do not have another source for this support.10Finally, it is important to acknowledge that there are disparities in access to the contents of JAH by readers based on geographical and country income factors and potential disparities in the ability for authors to publish their articles Open Access in the journal. JAH is currently a hybrid transformative journal. This allows research not funded by Coalition S members to be published in JAH for free but limits immediate access to readers based on subscription and licensing restrictions. JAH publishes an increasing proportion of content as Open Access, funded by Author Processing Charges (APCs; currently $3,270 per article for JAH), which is then immediately free to readers everywhere in the world. Future directions for JAH and Open Access publishing will evolve within the context of a publishing industry that is undergoing rapid changes. It is important to note that a benefit of SAHM membership is a subscription to JAH and that reduced international SAHM membership fees are available [https://www.adolescenthealth.org/Membership/Membership-Types-and-Fees.aspx]. Furthermore, the Health InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative Program set up by World Health Organization together with major publishers is designed to enable LMICs to gain access to one of the world's largest collections of biomedical and health literature, including JAH [https://partnership.who.int/hinari]. The editorial team at JAH reaffirms our commitment to publishing the most important articles on AYA health globally. We commit to continuing to monitor the degree to which JAH is meeting its commitments to DEI and will continue to expand the ways in which we can routinely monitor submissions and acceptance rates geographically. We recognize that advancing DEI will continue to evolve and we call on all SAHM members and our readership to assist JAH in implementing best practices in promoting DEI. We also call on all SAHM members and all those working on AYA health to submit their work to JAH, irrespective of where the authors reside or the geographical region where the data were collected; scientifically strong original articles and reviews with geographic diversity will make an important contribution to the field of AYA health and inform efforts to achieve health equity.

In this issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health (JAH), we pay tribute to Dr. Charles (Charlie) E. Irwin, Jr., who was JAH's Editor-in-Chief from 2004 to 2019 and the Supplements Editor from 2019 to 2023. In July 2023, Dr. Irwin stepped down from his role as Supplements Editor of JAH after many years of outstanding service. We celebrate Dr. Irwin's contributions to JAH over the years. We recognize the many positive changes he has made during his tenure, his devotion to JAH, and his commitment to the JAH associate editors, editors, staff, contributors, reviewers, and readers. Dr. Irwin is a Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine and the University of California, San Francisco, Benioff Children's Hospital. He is a graduate of Hobart College, Dartmouth Medical School, and University of California, San Francisco. He heads the National Adolescent Health Information and Innovation Center and the Public Policy Analysis and Education Center for Adolescent and Young Adult Health. Dr. Irwin was also a President of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) in 2002–2003. Dr. Irwin first assumed the role of Editor-in-Chief of JAH in 2004. Inspired by his commitment to the care of adolescents and young adults and scientific excellence, Dr. Irwin took on his new responsibilities with great vitality. During Dr. Irwin's tenure, the journal flourished as a multidisciplinary scientific journal dedicated to improving the health and well-being of adolescents and young adults. Dr. Irwin revitalized the organization and administrative structure of JAH. In particular, he built a strong editorial office that included Tor Berg, Managing Editor, and Teresa Dal Santo, Editorial Analyst. This dynamic team attracted high-quality manuscripts, administered rigorous peer review, promoted JAH, and increased its overall quality. In addition, Dr. Irwin established a core group of 5 associate editors who were senior researchers and subject experts on various adolescent and young adult health topics. This core group of associate editors played a key role in supporting Dr. Irwin and the success of the journal. Dr. Irwin had a clear vision for JAH. One of his early transformations of JAH was changing the cover of the journal. Beginning in January 2005, JAH began printing a comprehensive table of contents on the cover, making the topics of each volume clear and easy to review. A little over a year later, JAH was given a more modern look, replacing the original solid blue cover with the blue gradient that we see today. Dr. Irwin was also committed to making JAH an international journal. Under his leadership, the editorial board became truly international in its composition, consisting of 57 experts in the field, with 26 members from international communities representing each continent. In addition, JAH became a journal where more international and interdisciplinary professionals could disseminate their scholarly work on global health issues relevant to adolescent and young adult health. His commitment to excellence was evident in all aspects of producing JAH, from transitioning the journal from the paper-based system of peer review to the Editorial Manager (formerly Elsevier Editorial System) online submission and review system, revamping the journal's website, improving acceptance-to-publication timelines to 2 or 3 months, increasing the number of submissions 3.5 fold from 2004 to 2017, and creating a fast-tracking process for timely public policy content. Furthermore, Dr. Irwin's commitment to scientific rigor is one of the many contributing factors that propelled JAH to rank fifth among all pediatric journals. During Dr. Irwin's tenure, the impact factor steadily rose from 1.67 (2004) to an impressive 4.0984 (2017). Under Dr. Irwin's leadership, JAH has strengthened our field and moved adolescent and young adult health to the forefront of pediatrics. Dr. Irwin also launched a new section in the Journal entitled, Perspectives on Adolescence & Young Adulthood. Perspectives was an opportunity to share short essays, poetry, and stories by and about young people. The goal of this section was to inspire new insights and encourage authors and readers to be curious about the lived experiences of adolescents and young adults while broadening their perspective on this important period of the life cycle. Perspectives has evolved into our current successful JAH Intersection initiative. One of Dr. Irwin's greatest accomplishments was the introduction and oversight of supplements to JAH in 2005. In 2019, after completing his tenure as Editor-In-Chief, Dr. Irwin became JAH's inaugural Supplements Editor. Over the past 18 years, Dr. Irwin oversaw the publication of 45 JAH Supplements, approximately 2–3 per year. The Supplement volumes were dedicated to focused themes on important global adolescent and young adult health issues. The articles in each supplement underwent the same peer review process and met the same ethical and editorial standards as other manuscripts published in JAH. In addition, the supplement volumes broadened JAH's readership and played a critical role in disseminating new scientific information to a larger audience. Dr. Irwin's steadfast commitment to ensuring excellence in the supplements enhanced JAH's stature and reputation. In recognition of Dr. Irwin's commitment to research, training, and mentoring, SAHM established the Charles E. Irwin New Investigator Award to recognize professionals who, through excellence in research, have furthered SAHM's mission. Many of the Charles E. Irwin award recipients have published their original research in JAH. Dr. Irwin has been described as having "a steady hand steering the ship." He is regarded as a strong leader who guided the editorial team, set high standards, and fostered a collaborative working environment. Dr. Irwin's dedication to adolescent and young adult health coupled with his outstanding editorial skills, rigor, and attention to detail ensured the excellent scientific quality and content of the manuscripts published in JAH. Furthermore, Dr. Irwin always kept a vigilant eye on anticipated opportunities and challenges facing the scientific publishing community and the extent to which these changes could shape JAH in the future. Dr. Irwin made certain that the scientific quality and the accessibility of JAH was uncompromised as JAH continued to embark on new changes. In addition to his unwavering commitment to JAH and the field of adolescent and young adult health, Dr. Irwin is an adoring husband to Nancie Kester and father to Seth. He enjoys listening to music, particularly opera, good food and wine, and swimming. These are just some of the highlights of the incredible accomplishments during Dr. Irwin's tenure as Editor-in-Chief and Supplements Editor of JAH. Dr. Irwin's passion and commitment to JAH will be missed by Dr. Carol A. Ford, current Editor-in-Chief of JAH, the Associate Editors, the Editorial Board and JAH staff. He has left an indelible legacy of innovation and scientific excellence that will have an enduring impact on JAH and the field of adolescent and young adult health. On behalf of all of us at JAH, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to our friend Charlie for his years of service and dedication to JAH. We wish him all the best in the next phase of his illustrious career.

“To ensure that scholarly publications reach their widest possible audience and provide scholars a transparent and equitable path to publication, unimpeded by bias, it is essential that our industry address the systemic role that racism plays” (Coalition for Diversity & Inclusion in Scholarly Communications, 2020)

It is time once again to thank our peer reviewers for their contributions to the Journal and the field of Adolescent and Young Adult Health. The Journal owes a significant measure of its success to the following individuals, who generously volunteered their time to review one or more manuscripts in 2022.

We take this opportunity each year to acknowledge the vital work of our peer reviewers. The Journal of Adolescent Health owes its place in the field to the following individuals, who kindly volunteered their invaluable time and expertise to fulfilling our mission: Matthew C. Aalsma Anne Abbott Saida Abdi Joyce Abma Michelle Abraczinskas Karen Abram Demetrius Abshire Erin Cecilia Accurso Mary Acri Margo Eileen Killham Adam John S. Adams Sally Adams Zachary Adams O. Yaw Addo Avanti Adhia Shana Adise Zainab Agha Holly Agostino Fahd Aqeeb Ahmad Aimalohi Ahonkai Elsie Akwara Sirry Alang Elizabeth Alderman Linda Alexander Shirley Alexander Bianca A. Allison Kiara Alvarez Ilana Ambrogi Megan E. Ames Aliaksandr Amialchuk Sajeda Amin Seth Ammerman Vivek Anand Craig A. Anderson Martin Anderson Gracy Andrew Anietie Andy James Christopher Anthony Steven Aragon Myla Marcellana Arcinas Eunice Moraa Areba Alice Armstrong Renata Arrington-Sanders Rufaro Asefa Amie Ashcraft David Ashley Olivia Silber Ashley Vigdis Asmundson Nkiruka Atuegwu Amanda Aubel Anna E. Austin Erica Weintraub Austin Karen Austrian Peter Azzopardi Richard Bélanger Laura Baams Valerio Bacak Sherif M. Badawy Stéphanie Baggio Erika Bagley Susan Bagshaw Jennifer Ann Bailey Sarah Baird Chighaf Bakour Ben Balzer Juan Banda Sophie Banspach Lucy Barnard-Brak Beth Barnet Andrew P. Barnett Neil Patrick Barnett Angela Barney Elissa Barr Lisa Cohen Barrios Rachel Barry Robin Bartlett Benjamin Bates Elizabeth Baumler Lisa L. Bayer Lauren Brittany Beach Sarah Beal Laura Bechtiger Stephen P. Becker Kathleen Beckmann Robert A. Bednarczyk Donatien Beguy Meera Surujdai Beharry Uri Belkind David L. Bell Marvin Belzer Laura Jane Benjamins Corina Benjet Aprile D. Benner David Louis Bennett Cynthia Berg Kristina Berg-Kelly Cady Berkel Sarah Bernays Johnny Berona Hans Bertram Rebecca Monk Beyda Nandita Bhan M. Antonia Biggs Maaike Bijker Lara Bishay James Bishop Meg Bishop Bradley Boekeloo Krysten W. Bold Andrea Elena Bonny William Bor Elaine A. Borawski Jacob T. Borodovsky Benjamin Bowser Paula Braitstein Serge Brand Richard A. Brandon-Friedman Debra Braun-Courville Terrill Bravender Nancy Brener Kristen Breslin Cora Collette Breuner Jeff A. Bridge Julien Brisson Clifford Broman Kenneth Bromberg Deborah Brooks Merrian Brooks Stephanie Brooks Holliday Ashley Brooks-Russell Julie Ann Brothers Brandy Brown James Roger Brown Jennifer L. Brown Megan Brown Stephanie T. Broyles Meg Bruening Denise Bruno Jean-Marie Bruzzese Janice Buckley Emily Bufkin Brittany Bugbee Jasmina Burdzovic Andreas Alyssa Burgart Rochelle Burgess Pamela J. Burke Ryan Donald Burns Alexander Burrell Faith Butler Robert S. Byrd Alison Louise Calear Jessica Calihan Rosa Calvo Christopher Cambron Deepa R. Camenga Cynthia I. Campbell Nicole Campione-Barr Jessica Duncan Cance Jonathan H. Cantor Emma Carpenter Matthew Wyatt Carroll Kathleen R. Case Rachel Cassidy Judith Palmer Castor Hannah Catalano Jessica R. Cataldi Marina Catalozzi Julie A. Cederbaum Mariam R. Chacko Michael Chaiton Satvika Chalasani Steven W. Champaloux Katrina Champion Yee-Ming Chan Brie Chang Linda Charmaraman Laura J. Chavez Michael Chee Gayathri Chelvakumar Chih-Tsai Chen Diane Chen Jing-Xu Chen Julia Chen-Sankey Marshall K. Cheney JeeWon Cheong Lauren Chernick Harrell Chesson Hye Jeong Choi Hui-Tzu Grace Chou Keita Christophe Christopher Christopher Rees Joanna Chu Jennifer H. Chuang Paul J. Chung Tammy Chung Kathryn Clancy Kirsty Amy Clark Lucie Cluver Jennifer Coelho Alison K. Cohen Lawrence D. Cohn Caroline Cohrdes Tumaini Rucker Coker Michael D. Colburn Ryan Collar R. Lorraine Collins Katie Combs Nadine M. Connell Kara Connelly Kathleen Conroy James Hyde Conway Jeremy Cook M. Brett Cooper Marita Cooper Robin P. Corley Cassandra Cotton Lesley Cottrell Robert W.S. Coulter Susan M. Coupey Suzanne E. Courtwright Joan Cowdery Alexander Cowell Joanne Cox Karin K. Coyle Bethany Coyne Claire Coyne Tamera Coyne-Beasley MeLisa R. Creamer Colleen P. Crittenden Lori E. Crosby Douglas Crowell Alison J. Culyba Mitchell L. Cunningham Carrie Cuomo Susanna Curry David Stuart Curtis Peter Cygan Anthony R. D'Augelli Sarah Daniels Blair Grant Darney Madhumita Das Emily Dauria Asha Davidson Alexandar N. Davis Antoinette Davis Courtney Davis Danielle Davis Jack K. Day Hanneke de Graaf Mary Lou de Leon Siantz David Dean Judith Ann Ann Dean Julianna Deardorff Natacha DeGenna Angel del Valle Matt DeLisi Emilia Demarchis Christina A. Demopoulos Anne-Sophie Denault Melina L. Dendrinos Bryan Denham Julie Anne Denison Rachel Denlinger-Apte Malini DeSilva Arielle R. Deutsch Bethany Devenish Karen Devries Jessica Dietch Olivia Diggs Graham DiGuiseppi Petros Dinas Kele Ding Yingying Ding Page Dobbs Samantha Dockray Christina Dodson M. Margaret Dolcini Kelly L. Donahue Geri Donenberg Samantha M. Doonan Susan dosReis Nan Dou Denise Dougherty Aoife M. Doyle Alison L. Drake Cathy Drane Julia Dray Alexandru Dregan Rebecca Dudovitz Susan Duffy Sarah Amanda Dumas Melissa Dvorsky Ashok Dyalchand Cyd Eaton Ashley Ebersole James Ebert Jeffrey Edmeades Katie Edwards Chinwe Efuribe Marla Eisenberg Allison Eliscu Katherine S. Elkington Mallory Ellingson Michelle Ellis Noah N. Emery Elizabeth Englander Sharon Enujioke Annabel S. Erulkar Gabrielle Evans William D. Evans Yolanda N. Evans Miriam Evensen Deinera Exner-Cortens Mahbobeh Faramarzi Mychelle Y. Farmer Matthew Farrelly Lisa M. Faulcon Wafaie Fawzi Kristen Feemster Yueyang Frances Fei Ronald Feinstein Jonathan Feldman Elizabeth C. Feliciano Joshua Felver Amy Ferketich Frans J.M. Feron Manuela Ferrari Alexander Fiks Sheri Findlay Elian Fink Theresa Fiorito Kevin A. Fiscella Jessica N. Fish Celia B. Fisher Emily A. Fisher Nartin Fisher Susan Fitzgerald Charles B. Fleming Sarah Flicker Robert Flynn Helena Fonseca Michele R. Forman Robert D. Foss Kathryn Fox Jenny K. Rodriguez Francis Sarah Wright Freeman Manuel Gámez Guadix Shivani Mathur Gaiha Jennifer Galbraith Kyle T. Ganson Lauren Anne Gardner Patricia A. Garvie Tania Gaspar Maurice Gattis Jewel Gausman Amelia Gavin Sabrina Gebreselassie Kevin A. Gee Douglas Gentile Janna R. Gewirtz O'Brien Andrew Gibbs Lisa Gibbs Erin Bray Gibson Robert William Gibson Melissa B. Gilkey Monique Gill Kenneth Ginsburg Alison Giovanelli Jack Gladstein Jill Robin Glassman Sarah Gold Samantha Sittig Goldfarb Rise B. Goldstein Sarah A. Golub Holly C. Gooding Steven Michael Goodreau Patricia Goodson Chanelle Gordon Lonna P. Gordon Anthony Goudie Julia A. Graber Maria Grandahl Monica Grant Scott Graupensperger Janessa M. Graves Kevin Michael Gray Jennifer Greif Green Ohad Green Annie Green Howard Sabrina Gretkierewicz Devon Greyson Veronica Grigoletto Kate Grindlay Allison K. Groves Christopher Groves Joel W. Grube Noah Gruber Jan Gryczynski Carly E. Guss Regina Guthold Colleen Kays Gutman Karen Benjamin Guzzo Ole Rikard Haavet Scott Evan Hadland Elizabeth Hair Lauren Hale Tyish S. Hall Brown Jessica L. Hamilton Jane Hankins Christopher Harper Diane Medved Harper Scott B. Harpin Sion Kim Harris Torrina Harris Laura C. Hart Geoffrey Hart-Cooper Sydney Hartman-Munick Reem Hasan Areej Hassan Georgianne Tiu Hawkins Kanna Hayashi Catherine Hayes Grainne Hayes Denise Haynie Andrea Hazen Vivienne M. Hazzard Andreas Heinz Lori Heise Courtney E. Henderson Kristen Henretty Joanna Herat Judith W. Herrman George Higgins Marzena Hiler Amber L. Hill Ashley V. Hill Brandon J. Hill Samantha Hill Michelle J. Hindin Laura Hinson Matthew E. Hirschtritt Garrett Hisler Man Ho Rebecca S. Hock Tara Hofkens Candace M. Hogue Nneka Holder Cynthia Holland-Hall Bjoern E. Holstein Laura J. Holt Jacqueline Homel Yuko Homma Jun Sung Hong Andrea J. Hoopes Robert Hornik Lisa Horowitz Lauren Houghton Amy Houtrow John Howard Hsun-Ta Hsu Yu-Hui Huang Jimi Huh Kimberly Huhmann Harry Hull Jennifer Humensky Kayleigh Humphries Kara Hunersen Luz Huntington-Moskos Jill Huppert Paul Lawrence Hutchinson Ronaldo Iachan Roger Ingham Sushmitha Inguva Iris G. Insogna Nathan Irvin Kristin E. Ito Dylan B. Jackson Kristina M. Jackson Marc S. Jacobson Laura Jadwin-Cakmak Anna Jaffe Julie Jaffray Sherman James Matthew Jamnik Chyi Feng Jeff Jan Kajsa Jarvholm M. Susan Jay Chae Jaynes Rime Jebai Jesse Jenkinson Kathryn Jeter Xu Ji Xiaoxiao Jiang Mary John Obinna Johnesther Amy K. Johnson Julie K. Johnson Wendi L. Johnson Abigail Jones Marybeth R. Jones Lisa Jones-Jordan Anthony F. Jorm Njeri Kagotho Nicole Fran Kahn Kristyn Kamke Marni Kan Nuray Kanbur Melissa Kang Leslie M. Kantor Kandice Kapinos Leyla Karimli Kate Karriker-Jaffe Joanna Kaufman Paritosh Kaul Kelly J. Kelleher Brian C. Kelly Erin Wright Kelly Ryan Kelly Nat Kendall-Taylor Angie Kennedy Katrina Kennedy Erin Kent DenYelle Baete Kenyon Marko Kerac Roanna Kessler Brian Keum Khim Bahadur Khadka Hafiz Khan David Khey Sina Kianersi Kacie M. Kidd Sean Kidd Frederic Kiernan Sarah Kilgour Elizabeth Kim Hae-Young Kim Harris Hyun-soo Kim Hyuncheol Bryant Kim Sungwon Kim Sanford R. Kimmel Joseph Kindler Patricia Kissinger Hanne Kivimäki Chris Kjolhede Hanna Klaus Nicole Klaus Jonathan D. Klein Lauren Klein Luke Kluiza Sarah Knipper Amelia Knopf Loren Kock Corinna Koebnick Leah Ren-Ai Koenig Pamela Kohler Patricia Kokotailo Lloyd J. Kolbe Wei Yi Kong Melissa J. Kottke Barbara Krahé Melinda Krakow Rachel Kramer Polina Krass Kathleen Krause Beatrice J. Krauss Carrie Krekoski Alfgeir Logi Kristjansson Pamela A.A. Kulbok John Kulig Matthew Y.W. Kwan Carolina López Stephanie Lake Jolene Ruth Lalas Tina Lam Nontokozo Langwenya Yzette Lanier Amy Lansing Ann Lantagne Hannah Lantos Matthew A. Lapierre May Lau Shauna Marie Lawlis Eric Keith Layland Vi Donna Le Wanda E. Leal Alyssa Lederer Rebecca T. Leeb Jami S. Leichliter Taylor Lensch Kendra LeSar Karen Leslie Janni Leung Willie Leung Deb Levine Jonna Levola Felicia M.T. Lewis Jingjing Li Lisa Lieberman Marguerita Lightfoot Susan Limber Ashleigh Lin Janet C. Lindow Michael Lindsey Cathy Lirgg Christine Logel Alexandra Loukas Kristen Lucibello Rebecka Lundgren Mark W. Lusk Janet A. Lydecker Sarah D. Lynne Maureen E. Lyon Jessica LaRae Mackelprang Kerry L.D. MacQuarrie Matilde H. Maddaleno Dónya S. Madjdian Lucía Magis-Weinberg Renee Magnan Sheryl Magzamen Martin C. Mahoney Mary Ellen Mahoney Hei Wan Mak Ann Malarcher Anju Malhotra Allen Mallory Mahua Mandal Sarah B. Maness Jennifer Manlove Dale S. Mantey Tiffany L. Marcantonio Kristine Marceau John D. Mark Christine Markham Amanda Rose Markovitz Andrea Marks Jonathan M. Marron Milly Marston Melanie Martin Nan Zhao Martin Tyler B. Mason W. Alex Mason Abbey R. Masonbrink Catherine Mathews Therese F. Mathisen Charu Mathur Pamela A. Matson Brian Mavis Donna McAlpine Marcia McCall William McCarthy Anne Taylor McCartt Carolyn A. McCarty Zachary McClain Stephanie M. McCoy Catherine C. McDonald Kari McDonald Mary McFarlane Ellie L. McGlinchey Jenifer Kristine McGuire John McIntosh Robert McKeown Huong McLean Dana L. McMakin Michael P. McNeil Annie-Laurie McRee Gert-Jan Meerkerk Jamie E. Mehringer Anuj Mehta Rajesh Mehta Eric Meininger Claude Mellins Andrea J. Melnikas Melinda Merrell Nicole Meyers Pierre-Andre Michaud Amy B. Middleman Lisa Mihaly Kim S. Miller Melissa K. Miller Kate Millington Andrea Milne Wenderlich Mara Minguez Anita Minh Michael Mireku Jessica Hafetz Mirman Supriya Misra Shannon Gwin Mitchell Sanjana Mitra Okeoma Mmeje Sherry Molock Jonathan Mond Maria C. Monge Ann M. Moore Kristin Anderson Moore Anthony R. Morgan Alyssa Morse John Moses David Andrew Moskowitz Jennifer J. Muehlenkamp Anna Mueller Michelle Munson Kui Muraya Gabe Murchison Amanda Murdie Karly Murphy Erin Murphy-Graham Henna Muzaffar Muzi Na Kishan Nallapula Priya Nanda Jihane Naous Kimberly M. Nelson Sarah Nelson Cody Neshteruk Tanya Nieri Brett Nishikawa Chinonyelum Nneoma Nwosu Natalie Nokoff James Michael Nonnemaker Shane Norris Stephen W. North Sarah H. O'Brien Rory P. O'Brien Lydia O'Donnell Megan O'Grady Juile O'Toole Megan Oberle Bensignor Laura Offutt Megumi Okumura Catherine Oldenburg Benjamin Oldfield Thomas Olino Elizabeth Olsen Johanna L. Olson-Kennedy Ken Ing Cherng Ong Ken K. Ong Caroline Oppenheimer Lindsay Orchowski Victor Orozco-Olvera Izaskun Orue Karen Osilla Adam M. Ostrovsky Dennis Ougrin Angulique Y. Outlaw Dorian Owen Christopher Owens Deepak Palakshappa Tia Palermo Abigail Palmer Molina Sanjana Pampati Alison Paradis J. Terry Parker Nicholas J. Parr Stephanie R. Partridge Benjamin Ray Parva Mallie Paschall Ryan Hodges Pasternak Justin W. Patchin Minal Patel Magdalini Patseadou Karen A. Patte Karissa Pelletier Francesca Penner Martha Perry Melissa Peskin Thomas Peterman Amy J. Peterson Sarah Peterson Suzanne Petroni An Pham Jenny Mai Phan Gregory Phillips II Latrice C. Pichon Michelle L. Pickett Jorge L. Pinzon Brian Hardy Pitts Katie Plax Stacey B. Plichta Harold Pollack Amanda M. Pollitt Lauren Porter Chad Posick Paul Poteat Vinayak Prasad Kayla Preito-Hodge Melissa Prescott Jenny Proimos Paul Michael Pronyk Chelsea N. Proulx Eve S. Puffer Elizabeth Pyatak Steven Quam Camille Reneé Quinn Sheila Quinn Ana Radovic Jason Rafferty Maya Ragavan Minakshi Raj Irene Ramavhoya Megan L. Ranney Catherine N. Rasberry Nora Raschle Leigh Rauk Russell Douglas Ravert Jennifer K. Raymond Geoffrey L. Ream Jennifer L. Reed Sijmen A. Reijneveld John Reiss Philip J. Rettig Lynn Rew Colleen Reynolds Maureen D. Reynolds Harmony Rhoades Eric Richardson Laura Paul Richardson Linda Richter Joanne Riebschleger Kira E. Riehm Diego Rios-Zertuche William Risser María Estela Rivero Fuentes Christina Marie Rivoire Timothy Arlen Roberts Leah Robin Eric Robinson Leslie Anne Robinson Corinne H. Rocca Ann M. Roche Kathleen Boyce Rodgers Maria Roditis Adam A. Rogers Lisa Rogers Reuben Rohn Louise Ann Rohrbach Ruud Theodorus Joseph Roodbeen Leslie Root Janet E. Rosenbaum Cynthia Rosengard Marc Rosenman Craig S. Ross Sharon Ross Thomas Rotering Sarah E. Roth Ali Rowhani-Rahbar Carol Roye Donna Ruch Jack Rusley Seemeen Saadat Elna Saah Melanie Sabado-Liwag Mandakini Sadhir Kari-Lyn K. Sakuma Pamela J. Salsberry Joeann Salvati Diana R. Samek Diane M. Santa Maria Pamela Sarigiani Elissa Sarno Dana Sarvey John Sauceda Jukka Savolainen Susan Margaret Sawyer Caitlin Smith Sayegh Joshua Schaffzin Ty Schepis Barbara Schillo Clarissa Schilstra Michaela Schippers Annie Schmidt Michelle Schmidt Kristine Schmitz Janet U. Schneiderman Kerstin Schotte Kristin Schroeder Beth Ilyssa Schwartz Samantha Scott Barrett Scroggs Tracy Marie Scull Ilana Seager van Dyk David Seal Meghna Sebastian Robert D. Sege Sarah E. Seidel Warren Michael Seigel Ellen Selkie Gina M. Sequeira Taraneh Shafii Janet Shalwitz Zohar Shamash Michael Shapiro Drishti Sharma Vinit Sharma Vinita Sharma Sarah Shaw Karen M. Sheehan Arielle H. Sheftall Anandi Sheth John P. Shields Judith Shlay Mduduzi Colani Shongwe Maia Sieverding Renee Sieving Garry Sigman Constanza Paulina Silva Gallardo Ellen Johnson Silver Judith Simms-Cendan Stacey L. Simon Melissa Simone Daisy R. Singla Martie L. Skinner Sandy J. Slater Ariel U. Smith Claire Smith Rachel Snedecor Barbara Snyder Nancy Sokkary Natasha Alessandra Sokol Kodiak Soled Samira Soleimanpour Keisha Solomon Anna Song Kendrin R. Sonneville Lauren Southwick Caroline H. Sparks Jennifer Spencer Clarence Spigner Jorge Srabstein Joanna Stacey Steven Stack Jeremy Staff Margaret Stager Teresa Stanley Ric G. Steele Hillary Steinberg Riley J. Steiner Annekatrin Steinhoff Stacy Ann Sterling Rebecca Stewart Elizabeth K. Stierman John Stogner Julia Stone Diane M. Straub Kristin Stukus Erik Su Mirjana Subotic-Kerry Robert Suchting Sathyanarayan Sudhanthar Brian Suffoletto Margaret Sugg Farhana Sultana Florensia F. Surjadi Maria Veronica Svetaz Andrea Swartzendruber Kim Sweeny Robyn Sysko Hannah S. Szlyk Ariella R. Tabaac Lois Takahashi Jamie Tam May Lynn Tan Qian Tao Alice Y. Taylor C. Barr Taylor Niona Taylor Kathleen Tebb Allison Temourian Jeff R. Temple Alexander Testa Heather Tevendale Pamela Thacher Adam Thomas Jennifer Thomas Shane Andrew Thomas Angus H. Thompson Hannah Thompson Steven Riley Thomsen Sally Thorne Samuel Tomczyk Joan Totka John Winston Toumbourou Nam Tran Sophie Trawalter Elizabeth Trejos-Castillo Gylynthia Trotman Artemis K. Tsitsika Joan Tucker Brendesha Tynes Nichole Andrea Tyson Ana Maria Ugueto Josef Unterrainer John A. Updegraff Tamaki Urban Yassaman Vafai Claudia Valeggia Thomas W. Valente Cecelia R. Valrie Amelia E. Van Pelt AnneLoes van Staa Aiden Kennedy Varan Rachel Vaughn-Coaxum Tatyana Vayngortin Alexander Thomas Vazsonyi Scott Veldhuizen Philip Todd Veliz Noel Vest Sofie Vindevogel Dzung X. Vo Erin A. Vogel Janet Walker Jan L. Wallander Elaine Walsh Jennifer L. Walsh Joyce Wamoyi Stan Wanat Frances Wang George Sam Wang Li Yan Wang Senhu Wang Tara D. Warner Marika Waselewski Anna M.L. Washington Ellerie Weber Maurice Wedner-Ross Alexander Weigard Dominic Weinberg Emily Weinstein Amy L. Weiss Helen Anne Weiss Marisa Westbrook Erika Westling James P. Whelan James White Patience White Douglas Wiebe Constance Wiemann Daniel Wight Deanna Wilkinson Stacey Willcox-Pidgeon Bethany Williams Ed-Dee G. Williams Joah Williams Roberta Williams Jessica Fitts Willoughby Juana Willumsen J. Deanna Wilson Oliver Wilson Rebecca Wilson Sylia Wilson Jennifer Winston Ken Winters Lauren E. Wisk Maria M.L. Wong Juhee Woo Nathan T. Woo Sarah Wood Wendy Wornham Peter A. Wyman Rui Xiao Yunyu Xiao Xiuye Xie Bo Yang Chih-Hsiang Yang Chun Yang Jingzhen Yang Joanna Yang Ekua Yankah Lynn Yee Michele Su-Ming Yeo Kuanysh A. Yergaliyev Alexis Yetwin Robert Yockey Sonja Yokum Juliet Yonek Cynthia Yoon Esther Yoon Jami Young Jing Yu Mansoo Yu Dilara Yuksel Jennifer Zakrajsek Jingwen Zhang Anne Q. Zhou Samuele Zilioli Charles Gilbert Zimbrick-Rogers Gregory Zimet Hannah Ziobrowski Dougie Zubizarreta Keith Zullig

The Journal of Adolescent Health Care was founded in 1980 by the Society for Adolescent Medicine. In his inaugural editorial, Editor-in-Chief H. Verdain Barnes described the Journal's role thusly:The Journal's challenge to our developing specialty is threefold. First is the challenge to give persistent and prospective consideration to the potential impact of our work on the understanding of adolescence, adolescents, and adolescent health care. Second is the challenge to carefully design our efforts for critical evaluation and analysis to assess their effectiveness and importance. Third is the challenge to effectively prepare and present our results for peer review and publication.

We appreciate the concerns raised by Dr. Riley with regard to the use of inclusive language when referring to physicians and other health care professionals providing direct services to adolescents and young adults. The broad purview of our Journal is the health and well-being of adolescents and young adults. This mission necessarily involves professionals of many disciplines; not only clinicians and health care providers but also researchers, policy analysts, developmental specialists, nutritionists, and many others. Given the community we serve, the editors have a particular responsibility to promote inclusive language in our Journal. We encourage our authors to clearly describe the professionals that are discussed in their manuscripts. When appropriate, we encourage inclusive terms such as clinician, health care provider, and adolescent health professional. Using Inclusive Language in Articles Published in Journal of Adolescent HealthJournal of Adolescent HealthVol. 58Issue 5PreviewI am a family medicine physician and have been a member of Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) for many years. As someone who is very invested in the field of adolescent medicine, I am writing to give feedback on your journal. Several times over the past year I've noticed noninclusive language for family physicians in Journal of Adolescent Health editorials. Full-Text PDF

Three of our associate editors are stepping down this month. Dr. Pierre-André Michaud, Dr. Don Orr, and Dr. Freya Sonnenstein joined the Journal of Adolescent health's masthead at the outset of Dr. Irwin's editorship in 2004. All three editors were instrumental in shaping the Journal's processes and priorities over the past decade. Each played a key role in defining the Journal, as it exists today. We are grateful for the collaboration and fellowship that we have shared with Drs. Michaud, Orr, and Sonnenstein. And although we—and the Journal's readership—will greatly miss our colleagues' contributions, they have left fertile ground for a new crop of associate editors. Joining our masthead as associate editor for international health is Dr. David Anthony Ross, Medical Officer at the maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health department of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Coming on as associate editor for health sciences is Dr. Carol Ann Ford. Dr. Ford is professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and chief of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. And, assuming duties as an associate editor for public health and policy is Dr. Carolyn T. Halpern, Professor and Chair of the Department of Maternal and Child Health at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Please join us in welcoming Drs. Ross, Ford, and Halpern. We are excited to imagine what fruit the coming seasons will bring with their guidance.

The Journal of Adolescent Health (JAH), the official journal of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine is “a multidisciplinary scientific Journal, which seeks to publish new research findings in the field of Adolescent Medicine and Health” (jahonline.org). Over the past decade, JAH has emerged as the leading scientific journal in the field. The current analysis looks at the content of JAH over the past decade and seeks to identify differences in the focus of adolescent health research in high-income countries (HIC) versus low and middle-income countries (LMIC). JAH published 1776 articles between January 2004 and July 2013, of which 1732 had associated keywords. Keywords are provided by authors to describe the overall content of their submitted manuscripts. These keywords were consolidated to create a list of 3248 unique keywords. The articles' countries of origin were collected, and countries were characterized as either HIC or LMIC using the World Banks' definitions, which are based upon per capita GDP. Top keywords (ranked by number of occurrences) for HIC and LMIC papers were then identified. Of the 1776 published papers, 144 (8.74%) were based on studies in LMIC. The only overlapping of keywords in the top ten were sexual behavior and depression. Sexual behavior ranked number one in HIC and number two in LMIC. Depression ranked number seven in HIC and number ten in LMIC. For HIC, sexual and reproductive health occurrences were limited to two keywords (sexual behavior and sexually transmitted infections), where as in LMIC, sexual and reproductive health occurrences were four keywords (sexual behavior, HIV, condom use, and pregnancy). The keywords in HIC represent a broader range of topics, including female, obesity, substance use, smoking, physical activity and young adults. LMIC are more limited in the in the scope of topics focusing on sexual and reproductive health in the regions from which the research originate (China and Sub-Saharan Africa). The relative lack of published articles in the Journal of Adolescent Health from LMIC indicates that the research capabilities of these regions are inadequate. The content of published articles from HIC reflects a broad range of health topics affecting adolescents and young adults while the topics from LMIC remain focused on sexual and reproductive health. While many of the health issues published by HIC are also occurring in LMIC - including obesity, smoking, physical activity and gender violence - they are not yet reflected in the research from LMIC. Hopefully, health science research in LMIC will continue to improve in both breadth and quality.

The Journal of Adolescent Health has expanded its Editorial Board to be more reflective of our global mission to improve the health and well-being of adolescents and young adults. As Patton and Michaud have pointed out in these pages, it is increasingly clear that we must refocus our efforts on young people throughout the world, especially those in low- and middle-income countries [1Patton G.C. Viner R.M. Linh L.C. et al.Mapping a global agenda for adolescent health.J Adolesc Health. 2010; 47: 427-432https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.08.019Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (49) Google Scholar, 2Michaud P.A. Berg T.D. Irwin C.E. The International Journal of Adolescent Health.J Adolesc Health. 2010; 47: 421-422https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.08.017Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar]. Given that >50% of the manuscripts submitted to our Journal come from outside of the United States, the editors have decided to expand our Editorial Board to include a broader range of disciplines, countries, and continents. Disciplines represented by our Board members now include Anthropology, Economics, Medicine, Biostatistics, Nursing, Nutrition, Pharmacy, Public Health, Public Policy, Social Welfare, Sociology, and Psychology. Whereas our Board once consisted only of Americans, Canadians, Europeans, and Australians, we now have representatives from Africa, Asia, South Asia, Central America, South America, and Oceania, as well. Our editorial board should not be viewed as “carved in stone.” It is a work in progress, and we shall continue to consider our Editorial Board in the same way that we consider the articles that we publish: as a reflection of the very best research and practices committed to improving the health and well-being of adolescents and young adults from all parts of the world. Our mission depends on the high-quality scientific research submitted by our authors, the insightful and professional reviews by our peer reviewers, and the commitment and leadership of our editors. We thank our readership and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine for their support of the Journal.

With this issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health, we have enclosed a supplement edited by Dr. Anna-Barbara Moscicki and published by Preventive Medicine [[1]Moscicki A.B. HPV-associated cancers: it's not all about the cervix.Prev Med. 2011; 53: S3-S4Crossref PubMed Scopus (7) Google Scholar]. During the past 5 years, our Journal has published 44 articles on the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the newly developed vaccines to prevent the infection and its complications. This Preventive Medicine supplement extends the Journal's efforts of our three previous supplements to provide the most up-to-date information on HPV, the consequences of being infected with HPV, and preventive strategies through immunization programs [2Adams-Hillard P.J. Kahn J.A. Understanding and preventing human papillomavirus infection during adolescence and young adulthood.J Adolesc Health. 2005; 37: S1-S2Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar, 3Moscicki A.B. Smith J.S. Issues in human papillomavirus vaccination in adolescents.J Adolesc Health. 2008; 43: S1-S4Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar, 4Rosenthal S.L. Zimet G.D. Adolescent Males and human papillomavirus: psychosocial development, infection and vaccination.J Adolesc Health. 2010; 46: S1-S3Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar]. The five supplement review articles provide our readers with an overview of the epidemiology and disease burden of HPV (Tota et al) [[5]Tota J.E. Chevarie-Davis M. Richardson L.A. et al.Epidemiology and burden of HPV infection and related diseases: implications for prevention strategies.Prev Med. 2011; 53: S12-S21Crossref PubMed Scopus (205) Google Scholar], the role of HPV in head and neck cancers (D'Souza and Dempsey) [[6]D'Souza G. Dempsey A. The role of HPV in head and neck cancer and review of the HPV vaccine.Prev Med. 2011; 53: S5-S11Crossref PubMed Scopus (215) Google Scholar], genital HPV and related diseases in males (Anic and Guiliano) [[7]Anic G.M. Giuliano A.R. Gential HPV infection and related lesions in men.Prev Med. 2011; 53: S36-S41Crossref PubMed Scopus (87) Google Scholar], the role of preventive clinical care and adolescent immunizations in the United States (Middelman) [[8]Middelman A.B. Coordinating the delivery of vaccinations and other preventive health care: recommendations for adolescents.Prev Med. 2011; 53: S22-S28Crossref PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar], and public health strategies that are used in Australia to immunize adolescents and young adults (Garland et al) [[9]Garland S.M. Skinner S.R. Brotherton J.M.L. Adolescent and young adult HPV vaccination in Australia and challenges.Prev Med. 2011; 53: S29-S35Crossref PubMed Scopus (74) Google Scholar]. This collaboration with Preventive Medicine is a first for us, although a well-established practice for other scholarly journals that wish to reach beyond their usual audiences. We are hopeful that this combined effort of two journals, with different and yet overlapping readership, will enable us to inform our respective clinical and scientific communities about how to be more effective at preventing the negative health outcomes associated with HPV. We have worked with Preventive Medicine in assisting them with this supplement and are confident that our readers and the members of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine will find this information both helpful and forward-thinking. Visitors to the Journal's Web site (http://www.jahonline.org) will also find a link to the Preventive Medicine site and will be able to freely access the supplement. In keeping with our commitment to inform clinicians and scientists about the effects of HPV infection and the opportunity of HPV immunization, we are pleased to provide “The Burden of HPV Diseases and the Need for an Adolescent Health Platform: An Update for Primary Care Practitioners.” As always, we are happy to hear from our readers and invite your comments through our e-mail ([email protected]).

See Related Article p. 8 See Related Article p. 8 In this issue of the Journal, Mulye and her colleagues from the University of California, San Francisco, provide us with an overview of the health status of adolescents and young adults (ages 10-24) in the United States [[1]Mulye T.P. Park M.J. Nelson C.D. et al.Trends in adolescent and young adult health in the United States.J Adolesc Health. 2009; 45: 8-24Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (273) Google Scholar]. This review attempts to synthesize what we know about the health and well being of adolescents/young adults and the trends since 1990 by using the most recent available national data sets. In using multiple national data sets and reporting on the 10–24-year-old age group, the authors have highlighted the strengths and limitations of the available data. This review from the authors replaces three previous self-published documents from the National Adolescent Health Information Center entitled “America's Adolescents: Are They Healthy?” which focused exclusively on adolescents [[2]Ozer E.M. Park M.J. Paul T. et al.America's Adolescents: Are They Healthy? University of California. National Adolescent Health Information Center, San Francisco2003Google Scholar]. Given that there is no place where clinicians, investigators, and policy makers can get a summary of how adolescents/young adults are faring with respect to mortality, morbidity, health damaging behaviors, and health care utilization, we are hopeful that our readers will find this summary useful. The summary is modeled after the Annual Summary of Vital Statistics that is published in Pediatrics each year [[3]Martin JA, Kung HC, Mathews TJ, et al. Annual Summary of Vital Statistics. 2006. Pediatrics 2008;121:788–801.Google Scholar], however, the review in the Journal goes beyond birth and mortality data. We encourage the authors in their future review to put these trends in perspective by discussing former and remote determinants of the health of this population. With the publication of this review, we intend to initiate a biennial update on the health status of adolescents/young adults in the United States, published in the July issue. Given that the Journal of Adolescent Health strives to report on the health and well being of adolescents/young adults throughout the world, we are hopeful that our international colleagues will conduct similar analyses in their own countries, as Mulye and her colleagues have done for the United States. The Journal welcomes these analyses for consideration of publication. These comparisons will assist us in identifying policies, practices and programs to improve health during this critical developmental period of the life span.