In the News
- U.S. Birth Rate Among Young Teens Drops to Lowest Level in Nearly 60 Years
- Tool to Access Women’s Health Statistics
- Implementation Guide on Reaching Men to Improve Reproductive and Sexual Health for All
- New Resource: American Journal of Sexuality Education
- Parent Notification Affects Reproductive Health Services for Minors
- New Research Finds Chlamydia Screening Rates Low for Young Women
U.S. Birth Rate Among Young Teens Drops to Lowest Level in Nearly 60 Years
A recent report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that teen birth rates have reached a 60-year low. Public health officials have cited various reasons for the improved numbers, including better sex education, increased use of contraception, and increased public awareness and discussion about the risks of sexual activity, as well as welfare reform policies that encourage teenagers to start families later in life. Full Article.
Tool to Access Women’s Health Statistics
The National Women’s Health Indicators Database provides access to national, regional, state, and county level data for the period 2000 to present. The online tool may be used to access data on demographics, mortality, access to care, infections and chronic disease, reproductive health, mental health, prevention, and violence and abuse. The tool, which also enables users to create tables and graphs, is available at http://www.4woman.gov/statedata.
Implementation Guide on Reaching Men to Improve Reproductive and Sexual Health for All
The web-based guide illustrates examples of how to develop, implement, and evaluate reproductive health programs that involve men in ways that promote gender equity and improve health outcomes for men and women. The guide has been produced for the Interagency Gender Working Group (IGWG) by the Health Communication Partnership (HCP) based at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health/Center for Communication Programs. View the Web-based guide.
New Resource: American Journal of Sexuality Education
American Journal of Sexuality Education, published by Haworth Press, will publish practical lessons on human sexuality for educators at all levels-preschool through college and later life. Each issue will address a specific sexual topic or audience, presenting up-to-date theory and practice, lessons, and evaluations. Link to information and free sample.
Parent Notification Affects Reproductive Health Services for Minors
The November issue of Health and Health Care in Schools addresses the following issues “Does Parent Notification Affect Reproductive Health Services for Minors?” and “Panel Finds ‘Scare Tactics’ Don’t Prevent Violence.” More Information.
New Research Finds Chlamydia Screening Rates Low for Young Women
A report published in the October 29, 2004, issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found chlamydia “screening rates were low despite slight increases in screening covered both by commercial and Medicaid plans.” The authors found that among sexually active female enrollees ages 16-26 in commercial plans, 20% were screened for chlamydia in 1999, 25% in 2000, and 26% in 2001. Among enrollees ages 16-26 in Medicaid plans, screening rates were 28% in 1999, 36% in 2000, and 38% in 2001. Full Report (PDF).
MOAPPP Sponsored Events
January 11, 2005
Youth Advocacy Day
3:00 pm -5:30 pm
State Office Building/State Capitol, Saint Paul
Room Location: TBA
Youth advocates are invited to come learn about the legislative process and tour the State Capitol and State Office Building. Come discuss and learn about what will happen around sexuality education and the minors’ consent law in the 2005 Legislative Session. Hear from legislators and other advocates. Youth groups and peer education groups are encouraged to attend. Sponsored by the Sexuality Education for Life Coalition. To register or for more information contact Joy R. Miciano at MOAPPP 651.644.1447×14, [email protected].
January 20, 2005
Capitol Lab
2:00 pm-5:00 pm
State Office Building/State Capitol, Saint Paul
Room Location: TBA
The Capitol Lab will include an overview of the legislative process and tours of the State Capitol and State Office Building. This interactive workshop is geared towards adults-professionals, parents and other adults who care about youth. Marcia Avner, Public Policy Director of the MN Council of Nonprofits will lead the Capitol Lab. Sponsored by the Sexuality Education for Life Coalition. Limited space is available. To register or for more information contact Joy R. Miciano at MOAPPP 651.644.1447×14, [email protected].
February 14, 2005
Sexuality Education for Life-MN Coalition Day at the Capitol
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
State Capitol Rotunda, Saint Paul
This Valentine’s Day, join the Sexuality Education for Life Coalition in meeting with legislators to advocate for and discuss comprehensive sexuality education and confidential health care for young people. To register or for more information contact Joy R. Miciano at MOAPPP 651.644.1447×14, [email protected].
February 24, 2005
Lauren Greenfield Girl Culture Lecture/Book Signing
Free and open to the public.
7:00 p.m.
Ted Mann Concert Hall, University of Minnesota, West Bank
2128 4th Street South, Minneapolis 55455
Internationally known photographer Lauren Greenfield will speak about her five-year photojournalistic journey through the “backstage and dressing rooms” of American girlhood. The resulting photographs became a best-selling book and later a successful exhibit called Girl Culture. The exhibit has toured the country and to date has impacted more than 100,000 viewers. Ms. Greenfield’s lecture is sponsored by Canon USA and MOAPPP. For full details go to: www.JLMinneapolis.org and www.mncp.org.
Other Events
December 1, 2004
Online Forum: Disparities in Adolescent Reproductive Health Outcomes: Focus on African American and Latino Youth
ReCAPP hosts an online forum with Barbara Sugland, MPH, ScD and Claire Brindis, DrPH. Forum participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and share information about risk factors that partly explain why African American and Latino youth experience a higher prevalence of teen pregnancy, STDs and HIV in comparison to other US populations. Go here to register for the forum.
December 9, 2004
Boozing, Using, Cruising and Schmoozing: The Adolescent Sex/Drug Connection
8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Christ the King Retreat Center, 621 1st Avenue, Buffalo, MN.
This training is for health and family life educators, school and public health nurses and others who work with youth. Sponsored by Public Health, Wright County Human Services Agency. Registration fee is $25.00. Register by December 1, 2004 by contacting Christine Austin-Roehler at phone 763-682-7464, fax 763-682-7701 or .
January 7, 2005
Legislative Session 2005 Line-Up
10:00 am-12:00 pm
Best Western Kelly Inn
161 St. Anthony Drive, Saint Paul
Find out what legislative leaders have on their agendas for the upcoming session. Sponsored by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. For more information and to register.
January 3-7, 2005
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School’s Human Sexuality Conference, “Sexuality, Self, and Society”
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Piscataway, New Jersey
For more information and to register: http://www2.umdnj.edu/hspweb/.
January 15 – March 27, 2005
Girl Culture photography exhibition by Lauren Greenfield
Free and open to the public.
Minnesota Center for Photography (MCP)
165 13th Avenue NE, Minneapolis 55413
612-824-5500
Girl Culture by internationally known photographer Lauren Greenfield features 58 intimate, revealing and thought-provoking photographs and narratives, which capture the tension associated with growing up female in a media-obsessed culture. This exhibit opens the door for conversation between adolescent girls, parents, teachers, clinicians and all practitioners that serve youth. The exhibit is co-hosted by the Junior League of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Center for Photography. For full details go to: www.jlminneapolis.org and www.mncp.org.
June 3-20, 2005
The Seventh European Study Tour: European Approaches to Adolescent Sexual Behavior & Responsibility
Netherlands, France, and Germany
Advocates for Youth and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte will sponsor the seventh European study tour, June 3-20, 2005. The organization will select 30 participants to explore and identify strategies, programs, and policies in the Netherlands, France, and Germany that have influenced adolescent sexual behavior and outcomes. There are always many more applicants than can be accommodated, so return your completed application as soon as possible. Click here for a PDF file of the European study tour application as well as information on who should apply, selection criteria, and the tentative program itinerary. For additional program information, call Barbara Huberman, Director of Education & Outreach, Advocates for Youth, at 202.419.3420.