We are honored to announce our conference keynote will be given by Dr. Michael L. Hecht!
Michael L. Hecht (PhD, University of Illinois) is President of REAL Prevention, LLC and a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Communication Arts and Sciences and Crime, Law and Justice at Penn State University. He started in prevention research over 40 years ago, after a graduate student recruited him to collaborate on a narrative project targeting adolescent drug use. Now, Michael focuses his work on school and community-based prevention, culture and health, health message design and narrative health messages. This work includes several evidence-based interventions that advance his Narrative Engagement Theory and Principle of Cultural Grounding. keepin’ it REAL is the most widely distributed school-based curriculum since its adoption by D.A.R.E. It has been adapted for use in Nicaragua, the UK, Spain, and Mexico. Parents Stories guides parents to discuss alcohol with high school youth in order to reduce risky drinking. Both are recognized by the U.S. Surgeon General. Other evidence-based interventions include HPV Stories, which was developed with Planned Parenthood and promotes HPV vaccine among youth, women, and men and is endorsed by NCI and the American Cancer Society; Mighty Teens targeting risky sexual behavior among middle school students (with AASA: The School Superintendents Association); REAL media targeting substance use among high school students (developed with the 4-H clubs and recommended by NREPP), the Opioid Rapid Response System for prevention deaths from overdose, and the Student Athlete Wellness Portal targeting reducing prescription opioid misuse among high school athletes. He has authored more than 200 books, chapters, and peer-reviewed journal articles. This work represents collaborative efforts with groups and individuals through which Michael and his colleagues hope to promote healthy, safe, and responsible behaviors.