Penn State Conference To Address Rising Teen Pregnancy Rates

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics;  Preventive Medicine;  Conferences
Article Date: 23 Apr 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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According to the latest data available, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports that teen pregnancy rose for the second straight year in 2007. Although teen birth rates appear to be rising at a slower pace than the 2006 rate, the 1 percent increase in 2007 has health officials calling for increased diligence in sex education for teens.

In response, leading experts will discuss science-based approaches to sex education and teen pregnancy protection at the 2009 Teen Pregnancy Prevention Conference at Penn State on May 4 and 5.

Joe Fay, conference organizer and executive director for the Pennsylvania Coalition to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, said that this year's conference will address the pending changes in sex education policy.

"The theme of this conference, 'The Future of Sex Education,' says it all," said Fay. "We want to prepare professionals in Pennsylvania for the improvements in sex education policy and practice that will occur as a result of the new administration in Washington."

Keynote speakers for the event include Dr. Amy Schalet, professor of sociology at the University of Massachusetts and author of "Raging Hormones, Regulated Love," and Dr. Judith W. Herman, RN, assistant director of the School of Nursing at the University of Delaware. Sessions will cover topics such as the use of technology in communicating with teens, strategies for teaching youth with special needs and the effective implementation of science-based programs.

"The keynotes and small group sessions will provide educators, nurses and public health professionals with the information they need to make a difference in their schools and communities," said Fay. "With teen birth rates increasing once again, we need to work together to address this problem."

Source: Penn State University Office of Outreach