The journal Media and Communication has published a special issue on "Adolescents in the Digital Age: Effects on Health and Development," edited by APPC research director Dan Romer.
Health and Risk Communication
![Student on smartphone. Credit: Francisco Osorio.](https://cdn.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/technology_Francisco-Osorio_edit-360x144.png)
![Valentin Ottone via Flickr, Creative Commons](https://cdn.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/teensmokinh-crop-360x144.jpg)
APPC Research on Teens and Substance Abuse Is Highlighted
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has highlighted research on teens and substance abuse by Annenberg Public Policy Center's distinguished research fellow Atika Khurana and its research director, Dan Romer.
![Memorial for victims of gun violence, with T-shirts displaying victims' names, ages, and date of death.](https://cdn.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/memorial_highlightsize-360x144.jpg)
Youth Violence and Guns: What We Know and What We Need to Know
Gun violence involving young people is a national problem that deserves greater attention and study, a group of national experts in violence said in a paper published in American Psychologist.
![Children play outdoors in water fountain.](https://cdn.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/kids-play2-360x144.jpg)
APPC Receives Grant to Identify ‘Culture of Health’ on Top TV Shows
The Annenberg Public Policy Center has been awarded a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to identify a “Culture of Health” portrayed on popular TV shows. Studies will include Spanish-language shows.
![Cigarette pack.](https://cdn.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cig_openpack-360x144.jpg)
Cigarette Warnings With Images Better at Conveying Risks of Smoking
A study using a real-world approach to evaluate graphic warning labels on cigarette packs has found that the emotionally engaging images are more successful than simple text warnings at educating smokers about the risks of smoking.
![People on a busy wintry street.](https://cdn.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/hol_street-360x144.jpg)
In Turnaround, More News Media Debunking Holiday-Suicide Myth
After a four-year run in which most news stories falsely linked the holiday season with an increase in suicide, last year's coverage saw a turnaround, with most news stories debunking the holiday-suicide myth, according to an analysis by the Annenberg Public Policy Center.
![Soda bottles](https://cdn.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1500901_sodabottles-360x144.jpg)
Which PSAs Make Parents More Likely to Cut Kids’ Soda Intake?
Getting children to cut back on sugar-sweetened beverages like soda and energy drinks has been the goal of anti-obesity public service advertisements. A new study evaluates the effectiveness of persuasive techniques -- humor, fear and nurturance -- used in those PSAs.