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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Susan Philliber, PhD, Philliber Research Associates, 16 Main Street, Accord, NY 12404, 845-626-2126, sphilliber@compuserve.com

In the past two decades, there has been a rapid accumulation of evidence about effective programs to reduce teen pregnancy. In spite of these major gains, the adoption of these programs has moved more slowly. Local communities often times implement few programs, ineffective and/or unevaluated programs, and use unique programs developed locally, usually using parts of various curricula and strategies.

In 2002, in response to the growing realization that local teen pregnancy prevention programs were not often science-based, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the initiative “Promoting Science-based Approaches.” Its purpose is to increase local organizations' capacity to select, implement, and evaluate a science-based approach (SBA) to prevent teen pregnancy and promote adolescent reproductive health, including abstinence, and STD and HIV prevention. CDC is funding three national organizations, four regional training centers, and nine state coalitions to implement this project.

This session will present the activities, lessons learned, successes and challenges from the first phase of this program.

Barriers to implementing science-based approaches were identified through various needs assessment activities implemented by national and state organizations.

Barriers included: • Ignorance of SBA • Lack of motivation to use SBA • Fear of political controversy • Emphasis on abstinence only • Compatibility with community characteristics • Lack of funds for training and materials

Successes included: • Increased awareness of science-based approaches • Increased use of science-based approaches by local organizations and state coalitions • Increased state-level funding for teen pregnancy prevention science-based programs

Learning Objectives:

• Identify 3 barriers to using a science-based approach to prevent teen pregnancy
• Identify 3 strategies to overcome the barriers
• Identify 3 successes to using a science-based approach

Keywords: Evaluation, Evidence Based Practice

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation