Every May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month and this year, May 2nd marks the eleventh annual National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. On the National Day, StayTeen.org is promoting a number of online activities —including the popular National Day Quiz—that deliver teen pregnancy prevention messages and challenge young people to think carefully about what they might do “in the moment.” The message of the National Day is straightforward: Sex has consequences.

Groups across Colorado and the U.S. are participating in the National Month by hosting activities that raise awareness on the issue. If you’re interested in engaging with your community, here are a few ideas:

• Plan a Flash Mob. Nothing like a well-coordinated “Surprise!” that gets people talking about the issues!
• Start a “Did You Know” Campaign with facts about unintended teen pregnancy. Wrap it up with the benefits of education and the costs of ignorance.
• Host a Brown Bag Series featuring different aspects of teen pregnancy. Include the perspectives of teen parents, parents, faith leaders and youth activists.
• Screen a Movie that starts the conversation. This can be a great way for people to talk about the issues without making it too personal.
• Create an Earned Media Event that will get positive media attention.
• Write an Opinion Piece in your local newspaper.

If you’re planning to host an event or want some help planning, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ! We’d love to spread the word about your event or help you plan.

The U.S. teen pregnancy rate has declined 42% from its peak in 1990 and is now at a nearly 40-year low, according to new data from the Guttmacher Institute.  These new data track teen pregnancy through 2008.  In addition to the overall national declines, teen pregnancy has also decreased dramatically among all racial and ethnic groups. 

To read the full report, click here.

Multi-million dollar initiatives to help at-risk and parenting teens across Connecticut call for “evidence-based” and “culturally appropriate” approaches – the mantra of experts assisting Hispanic youth, who have the highest number of teen births in the state.

“There’s been a shift in federal funding toward using culturally tailored programs that have been scientifically tested to be effective in changing behaviors,” explained Carol Stone, Ph.D., an epidemiologist with the Family Health Section of the state Department of Public Health.

Read the full story here.