The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy examines after-school programs for middle-school youth that have a proven positive impact on adolescent sexual behavior.

With an estimated one in five female high school students reporting physical or sexual abuse by a dating partner, the need to offer teens the tools they need to stay safe and build healthy relationships is urgent. Joan E. Lisante reports on some promising approaches to a devastating problem.

Sexually active teens have the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases of any age group. In fact, out of two sexually active young people can expect to become infected by age 25. Teens are also the least likely age group to obtain medical care -- in part because they often lack health insurance, transportation or guaranteed privacy.

Common sense and a growing body of research suggests that creating opportunities for girls to play sports can play a key role in reducing teen pregnancy. This National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy fact sheet summarizes the evidence.

The Center for Health Improvement summarizes what works in preventing teen pregnancy: education, access to contraceptives and health care, and youth development programs that enhance opportunities and options for the future. Sixty percent of teens are sexually active by age 18. Sexuality education programs that include information about both abstinence and contraception can delay sex or reduce the frequency and number of sexual partners, and increase the use of condoms.

A nine-month evaluation of a California program targeting siblings of teen parents found that group activities and one-on-one services reduced pregnancy rates by 43 percent and decreased truancy among females. Males enrolled in the program used contraceptives more consistently than their un-enrolled counterparts. Researchers conclude that programs targeting high-risk siblings can help keep teenage birthrates on the decline, and should be considered an integral component of a national pregnancy prevention policy.

Approximately one in five adolescents has had sexual intercourse before his or her 15th birthday, according to a new report from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Between half and three-quarters of youth age 12 to 14 report that they used contraception the first time they had sex, but one in seven 14-year-old girls who have had sex reports becoming pregnant. Dating an older partner is a clear sign of risk for young teens. The most recent nationally representative data available from the 1990s suggests that sex among older teens (age 15-19) was declining while the rate for those under age 15 was increasing.

Remember when the middle-school health teacher used to pull down the shades, turn off the lights, and show strange, stilted short films about the hazards of pot and sex? By pairing up teen writers and actors with professional directors and producers, Scenarios USA is shaking up the genre with powerful—and sometimes controversial—films.

Incorporated in 1964, SIECUS develops, collects, and disseminates information, promotes comprehensive education about sexuality, and advocates the right of individuals to make responsible sexual choices.

ReCAPP provides practical tools and information to effectively reduce sexual risk-taking behaviors. Teachers and Health Educators will find up-to-date, evaluated program materials to help with their work with teens.