Cultivating intention to pursue health-related studies among a pilot group of high schoolers

This brief research report presents pilot baseline data that will serve as the foundation for developing a high school intervention aimed at engaging students in health studies and careers from a health disparities perspective. The overarching goal of this project is to increase the number of Bronx high school students who pursue studies and careers in the health sciences by engaging them in transformative learning experiences using a place-based education approach. Approximately 75% of the 2025 graduating class participated in this pilot study. Students were assessed on their knowledge of the following health disparities topics: sleep health, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), adolescent mental health, and community health and health disparities, as well as their career interests in the health professions and their perceptions and attitudes toward the health sciences. Overall, most students were Hispanic females aged 17–18 years. Responses suggest that approximately 80% will pursue a health career, and about 65% expect to take health courses in college. On the other hand, 30–35% reported an unenthusiastic attitude toward science, and more than 42% of students were unclear about their STEM skills. The empirical results indicate that students have strong attitudes and intentions toward health careers, exhibit significant insecurity regarding their scientific competencies, and reveal important gaps in knowledge in the five health topics assessed. These knowledge gaps may represent an opportunity for the project to foster students’ interest in each health topic and potentially motivate their research interest in health disparities in the Bronx. Furthermore, proficiency in topics related to health disparities has the potential to influence young adults’ attitudes, intentions, and motivations in health sciences and ultimately to increase the diversity of the biomedical and healthcare workforce, thereby strengthening their health equity approach to healthcare.