Updates from the President

Linda H. Bearinger, PhD, RN, FAAN, began a four-year term as President of the International Association for Adolescent Health at the organisation's 9th World Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Bearinger is the first nurse to ever serve as president of the organisation.

President's Message:
"As a member of IAAH, I have observed the path of our organization for the past two decades. While we seek to join with the multiplicity of organizations serving young people, IAAH remains the only global member-organization focused on the health needs of adolescents. Currently, IAAH is at a critical crossroads in its development with, perhaps, a unique potential for harnessing the clinical, educational, and research capacity of adolescent-focused professionals and those in training worldwide. We seek to be a nimble association, capable of responding to rapid, 21st century changes happening regionally and globally. We aim to assure that health providers, world-wide, are educated to effectively care for all young people, and we support programmes grounded in sound science with practical strategies suited to country-level needs and policies. As the President of IAAH, I want to guide us in renewing our lead role – in clinical practice, education, research, and policy on behalf of young people. We can continue to offer educational opportunities while simultaneously pursuing a global agenda to support much-needed research that considers the value of investing in youth health, at country-, regional-, and global-levels. And, I seek to lead IAAH, a global organization, such that we become accessible to all and a resource for all. I thank you for this opportunity to lead IAAH, and with the IAAH Council, we are eager to move forward with vigor and with vision on behalf of young people."