Of the 169 children who were part of the program’s second-grade evaluation, 120 young adults were in the follow-up sample. They were compared to an equal number of Boston and Brookline residents who had not been enrolled in BEEP and were of matching age, ethnicity, mothers’ educational level and childhood neighborhood. Both groups completed surveys that focused on health, education and income and included questions about receipt of public assistance, employment status, arrest rates and voting (an indicator of civic engagement). The survey, which focused more extensively than any previous study on health-related outcomes, measured three key factors—health behaviors, health efficacy and mental health—all of which are related to the overall life functioning of young adults.

The questions touched on a wide range of behaviors: smoking, drinking alcohol, use of marijuana or other recreational drugs and chemicals, exercising, caring for personal hygiene, sleeping, stress management, medical check-ups, eating nutritiously, controlling weight and using safety precautions. The extent and frequency of depressive symptoms were also measured as an important aspect of mental health. Results were analyzed for BEEP versus comparison samples and urban versus suburban location as well as the interaction of these factors. Participants’ parents were also interviewed about their experiences.

Survey results showed the following:

• Whether they were in BEEP or not, young adults from the suburbs had attained higher levels of education than their urban counterparts.

• There was virtually no difference in educational level between suburban BEEP participants and their suburban comparison group.

• Urban BEEP participants had completed more than one additional year of schooling than their urban comparison group.

• Fewer BEEP young adults reported having a low income (below $20,000). The widest gap existed between the two urban samples: only 28% of BEEP participants had low incomes, compared to 72% of non-participants.

• More than 80% of both suburban samples reported being in very good or excellent health (above the national average of 75%), and they reported having more positive health behaviors and less depression than either urban group.

• While both urban samples reported significantly lower percentages of general good health (64% of the BEEP group and 42% of the comparison group), the BEEP group reported better health behavior and self-worth and less depression than the comparison urban group.

• Overall, a greater percentage of suburban subjects had private health insurance, but the BEEP urban group had higher rates of coverage than the comparison urban group.

• BEEP participants who stayed in the program longer are doing more intellectually challenging work than other BEEP participants.

• Participants who had the highest level of BEEP services have the best relationship with their parents.

BEEPers at a Glance 93% are employed or in school 72% have graduated from college (only 3% did not finish high school) 8% were in graduate school at the time of the survey 16% are married 16% are raising children 75% are registered to vote 46% have done community service post high school

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