By Tracy Clark-Flory, via Salon.com

There is hope for America yet: A new survey finds that most adults in this country believe that teens should be taught about both abstinence and birth control. What’s more, seven in 10 adults agree that federal funds should go toward teen pregnancy prevention programs that have been “proven to change behavior related to teen pregnancy” (i.e., actually work). And three-quarters of teens and adults think that antiabortion policymakers “should be strong supporters of birth control.” Sanity prevails!

By MATTHEW PERRONE AP Health Writer

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved the first drug shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection, the latest milestone in the 30-year battle against the virus that causes AIDS.

The agency approved Gilead Sciences' pill Truvada as a preventive measure for healthy people who are at high risk of acquiring HIV through sexual activity, such as those who have HIV-infected partners. The decision comes less than two weeks after the agency approved another landmark product: the first over-the-counter HIV test that Americans can use in the privacy of their homes.

The two developments are seen as the biggest steps in years toward curbing the spread of HIV in the U.S., which has held steady at about 50,000 new infections per year for the last 15 years. An estimated 1.2 million Americans have HIV, which develops into AIDS unless treated with antiviral drugs. And it's estimated that one-fifth, or about 240,000 people, are unaware that they are infected.

Read the full article here.

A recent article in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics found that while most pharmacies report having Emergency Contraception (EC) in stock, misinformation about it is common. This often included who can take EC and at what age it is available without a prescription. This misinformation was shared, not only with teen callers, but also with physicians.

Check out the full study here.

in 2009 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made EC available without a prescription to individuals aged 17 years or older. People younger than 17 may obtain EC with a prescription. To obtain EC, consumers must request the medication from a pharmacy staff member, because it is stocked behind the pharmacy counter, and present identification to establish their age.

Emergency Contraception is most effective when it is taken within the first 72 hours, thus, misinformation may create barriers to timely access.