Fact Sheets
National Data on Teen Pregnancy
State Data on Teen Pregnancy
Polling Data
Reports & Research
Press Releases
Additional Resources
Highlighted Resources
Politics and the Promise of Family Planning
A provision that would have given states the option to expand a Medicaid-funded program subsidizing family planning services for low-income women was recently removed from the economic stimulus plan. National Campaign Board President Isabel Sawhill and Adam Thomas, Research Director for the Center for Children and Families at the Brookings Institution, argue in a new op-ed that President Obama and Congress should return to the issue of the Medicaid family planning waiver as soon as possible.
Download Politics and the Promise of Family Planning
Briefly - Policy Brief: Strengthening Medicaid Family Planning
Given the important role that Medicaid plays in providing access to family planning services, especially for low-income individuals, several
steps should be taken to ensure that these services are widely available to the women, men, and teens who need them by reducing barriers
to states who are trying to expand access and reducing barriers to individuals seeking to apply for these critical services.
Download
Briefly - Policy Brief: Strengthening Medicaid Family Planning
Medicaid's Important Role in Pregnancy Prevention and Planning
October 2008
APHSA Policy & Practice
This journal article, written by National Campaign staffer Jennifer Drake, discusses Medicaid's important role in pregnancy prevention and planning.
Download The Field Works
Briefly - Policy Brief: What Policymakers Can Do
There are many different solutions to the widespread problems of teen and unplanned pregnancy, at the individual and societal
level, and public policy certainly plays a key role. The following public policy actions would help ensure that teens and young adults
have the necessary tools to make wise choices regarding pregnancy and childbearing.
Download Briefly - Policy Brief: What Policymakers Can Do
Briefly - Policy Brief: Thoughts for Elected Officials About Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
As newly-elected officials at the national, state, and local level prepare to take office, this document poses a few questions and offers some key data for elected officials at all levels to consider. We hope it sparks a new
conversation and inspires new action about these important issues.
Download Briefly - Policy Brief: Thoughts for Elected Officials About Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
Briefly - Policy Brief: Funding to States and Communities for Effective Teen Pregnancy Prevention Interventions
There is persuasive and growing evidence that a number of programs can delay sexual activity, improve contraceptive use among sexually active teens, and/or prevent teen pregnancy. At present, the federal government’s primary investment has been in abstinence education rather than programs with strong evidence of success, which focus both on encouraging young people to postpone sex and to use contraception carefully and consistently if they are sexually active. Investment in programs that have been proven effective in changing teen sexual behavior should be increased in order to sustain our nation’s progress in reducing teen pregnancy.
Download Briefly - Policy Brief: Funding to States and Communities for Effective Teen Pregnancy Prevention Interventions
Briefly - Policy Brief: Title X
Over the
past 38 years, Title X, the nation’s federally-funded family planning program, has played a critical role in preventing unplanned pregnancy by
offering low-income and uninsured individuals access to high-quality contraceptive services, preventive screenings, and health education. Unfortunately, demand for these services far exceeds the supply and years of inadequate funding increases that have failed to keep pace
with inflation have forced program providers to offer fewer contraceptive choices and limit services.
Download Briefly - Policy Brief: Title X
Briefly - Some Thoughts on Abstinence
One of the questions we are most
frequently asked is, “What is the
National Campaign’s position on
abstinence?” This research brief discusses our take on abstinence from a variety of angles in the hopes of a giving a thorough - but brief - answer to a complex question.
Download
Briefly: Some Thoughts on Abstinence
Briefly - Policy Brief: Restoring Affordable Birth Control
An unintended consequence of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) has been the dramatic increase in
the price of contraceptives for non-Title X clinics, which has left many college students and low-income women unable to access low-cost,
effective methods of contraception. Left uncorrected, more young adults will be unable to get the services that help them avoid unplanned
pregnancy.
Download Briefly - Policy Brief: Restoring Affordable Birth Control
Briefly - Policy Brief: Preventing Pregnancy Among Youth in Foster Care
Teens in foster care—
many of whom suff ered abuse and neglect before leaving their
homes—are at increased risk for getting pregnant and becoming
parents than other teens. This suggests a more intensive and coordinated effort is needed by those concerned with child welfare and teen pregnancy. One important place
to start is to help prevent early pregnancy among youth in foster care and those transitioning out of foster care, and to help those who have
already gotten pregnant to avoid subsequent pregnancies.
Download Briefly - Policy Brief: Preventing Pregnancy Among Youth in Foster Care
Briefly - Policy Brief: Health Care Reform
Given the health,
economic, and social consequences of unplanned pregnancy for
taxpayers and families, policymakers should consider a number
of specific policy areas where there are opportunities to improve
pregnancy planning and prevention within the context of health
care reform efforts. This brief discusses a few of those opportunities.
Download Briefly - Policy Brief: Health Care Reform
Briefly - Policy Brief: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Teen Pregnancy
Recent data suggest that the significant progress the nation has made in reducing teen sexual activity, improving contraceptive
use among sexually active teens, and reducing the teen birth
rate has stagnated and/or reversed—for minorities in particular. This brief discusses in detail those racial and ethnic disparities in teen pregnancy.
Download Briefly - Policy Brief: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Teen Pregnancy
Preventing Unplanned and Teen Pregnancy: Why It Matters
Teen and unplanned pregnancy among young adults are at the root of a number of important public health and social challenges.
Visit Why It Matters Web Section
Cost of Teen Childbearing
This report and web section documents the public costs of teen childbearing at both the national and state level.
Download By the Numbers: The Public Costs of Teen Childbearing
Visit Costs Web Section
Putting What Works to Work
Launched in October 2002, Putting What Works to Work (PWWTW) is a multi-phased effort that identifies and consolidates research-based practices that prevent teen pregnancy, translates this research into user-friendly materials, and works directly with states and communities to incorporate such practices into their work.
Visit PWWTW Web Section
Research on Effective Programs
In addition to PWWTW described above, The National Campaign has several reports on effective program research.
Visit the Effective Programs webpage
Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Vulnerable Populations
Teen Pregnancy Fact Sheets by Race/Ethnicity
Foster Care Youth
Fostering Hope: Preventing Teen Pregnancy Among Youth in Foster Care
Effective and Promising Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs for Latino Youth
Acculturation and Sexual Behavior Among Latino Youth
Our Story, Our Words
Faith and Religion Resources
Faith Matters: How African-American Faith Communities Can Help Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Faith, Hope, and Love: How Latino Faith Communities Can Help Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Nine Tips for Faith Leaders
Relationship Resources
Kiss and Tell: What Teens Say About Love, Trust and Other Relationship Stuff
Making a Love Connection: Teen Relationships, Pregnancy ,and Marriage
Why It Matters: Teen Pregnancy, Out-of-Wedlock Births, Healthy Relationships, and Marriage
Relationships in the Latino Community
Unplanned Pregnancy and Family Turmoil
Parent Resources
Ten Tips for Parents
Parent Power: What Parents Need to Know and Do to Help Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Unplanned Pregnancy Resources
Reports
Fact Sheets