The Health and Human Services (HSS) Office of Adolescent Health (OAH) Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Program last week released the results of 41 rigorous evaluations.
The OAH evaluated two types of TPP grants for
effectiveness in changing teen behaviors and preventing teen pregnancy.
"Preventing teen pregnancy is critical to ensuring that young people reach their educational and life goals,” Acting Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Karen B. DeSalvo said. “By investing in rigorous evaluation and releasing its findings, the Office of Adolescent Health is making significant advancements in the field of teen pregnancy prevention – ensuring that these programs are both effective and efficient."
Of the 41 evaluations conducted, 90 percent were randomized trials. The first type of TPP grant evaluated was based on already effective teen pregnancy prevention programs. It evaluated the effect of successful programs when they were implemented in different locations and populations than the originals.
The second group of TPP grants focused on new and innovative programs. The trials showed that eight were effective in changing teen behaviors to help prevent teen pregnancies.
"Using rigorous evaluations helps build a body of evidence for where, when, and with whom specific programs are most effective," OAH Director Evelyn Kappeler said. "OAH’s findings are giving communities a wider array of programs with demonstrated effectiveness from which to choose."
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