Teen Health

The DuPage County Health Department's Community Initiatives (CI) Team has several projects that strive to improve the health outcomes of young people ages 12 to 18.

These efforts include:

  • Education and advocacy about tobacco use, substance use, the importance of adolescent well visits, how to prevent unintended teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases
  • Increasing mental wellness
  • Providing opportunities for positive youth development

The Prevention Leadership Team (PLT)

To address goals related to mental wellness and substance use, CI leads the Prevention Leadership Team, a county-wide coalition working toward the following goals:

  • Identify and advocate for environmental and policy changes that will lead to the reduction of youth substance use
  • Increase awareness and access to services
  • Increase mental health among DuPage County youth, 18 and under
  • Reduce substance use among DuPage County youth, 18 and under

Vaping or E-cigarette Resources

The health department's Health Promotions department provides free programming to DuPage County schools, including presentations to prevent youth vaping. To request a presentation for your school, please contact Health Promotions at 630-221-7550 or by emailing Health Promotions.

Middle and high schools within DuPage County can also request printed vaping prevention posters to be used throughout the school. Four versions of posters are available. To request posters, please use this request form.


Escape the Vape: Athlete (PNG)
Escape the Vape: Chemicals Red Black (PNG)
Escape the Vape: Mental Health (PNG)
Escape the Vape: Chemicals Pink Black (PNG)

The Heroin/Opioid Prevention & Education (HOPE) Taskforce

The HOPE Taskforce is a joint operation of the DuPage County Board and the DuPage County Board of Health. The Taskforce consists of members from many sectors in the community, specializing in mental health, law enforcement, adjudication, substance abuse treatment, prevention, and education.

Well Visits

To learn more about when teens need well visits and what they include, visit Healthy Children. You will find a schedule of well visits to follow.

If you are a physician or medical setting who would like information on creating a more adolescent friendly environment, please email Rebecca McFarland.

Sexually Transmitted Disease and Pregnancy Prevention

It is important that young people are aware of their healthcare rights so that they can access the care they need. To see a list of health care rights for youth in Illinois, please view this list of Illinois Teen Healthcare Rights (PDF).

Please display this Healthcare Rights flyer (PDF) at your organization to raise awareness of the rights teens have when accessing health care. 

STD and HIV Testing

If you are sexually active, it is important that you regularly get tested for STDs and HIV. Our STD clinic offers free testing for people under 18.

Community Initiatives receives grant funding from the following agencies:

  • Illinois Department of Human Services
  • Illinois Department of Public Health
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration