Table 2.

Application of the Youth Empowerment Model across Four Case Studies: Critical Components by Empowerment Level.

Levels	Critical Components	Photo Voice Project	Citizen Science Program	Medical Camp	Tobacco Advocacy
Individual	Skill Development	Making impactful photographs, narrating the potential links between environmental factors and respiratory illness	Utilizing air quality monitors and indoor radon test kits to examine environmental contaminants	Learning how to read ingredient lists on personal care products, e.g., shampoo, and where to look to learn more about ingredient safety	Deconstructing tobacco advertisements
	Critical Awareness	Learning and discussing the potential contributions of environmental factors to the high rates of respiratory illness in their communities	Learning and discussing the consequences of air quality and radon on health	Discussing why scientists research chemical ingredients, risks on youth health, accompanied by an activity where participants analyzed a sample personal care product.	Discussing tobacco-related consequences tailored to their community; investigate existing tobacco control practices
	Opportunities	Presenting photographs at a community exhibit and presenting at conferences	Developingan internet video media message and reporting findings at regional scientific meetings		Developing effective media messages
Organizational	Skill Development		Learning and developing skills (e.g., data collection and interpretation) necessary to incorporate research into youth’s educational opportunities	Offering a training exercise for emerging professionals to learn to effectively translate science to youth.	Conducting SWOT analysis – focusing on opportunities
	Critical Awareness		Training on ethical use of human subjects in research and review of data from studies	Evaluating presentations; evaluations are shared with presenters and camp/university staff for continual program improvement.	Reviewing youth survey data (behaviors, perceptions)
	Opportunities				Creating youth-adult partnership agreement; school grassroots activity planning and implementation
Community	Skill Development				Engaging in policy advocacy scenariosand action planning (setting goals)
	Critical Awareness	Acknowledging the agency of youth and the importance of their voice for community matters	Acquiring permission from homeowners to collect indoor and inground radon samples		Conducting community assessments; photovoice
	Opportunities	Engaging youth in environmental health matters deemed important by the community	Reporting findings of radon study to homeowner; Reporting the harmful health effects of Radon to homeowners		Letter writing campaign to elected officials; media advocacy campaign for funding/treatment resources