2014_02_18 ICAP Newsletter

ICAP NEWS

Contact Ilene if you’d like a supply of the Teen Help Cards in either English or Spanish.

Check out the ICAP website at www.mcicap.org

 

My Reproductive Life Plan: A checklist for staying healthy and planning future pregnancies

Updated reproductive life plan brochure in English and in Spanish.  Contact Sheilah O’Connor or Jane Larsen at Improved Pregnancy Outcomes Program for copies.

See attached .

 

NEWS

For information about the ACA and Health Coverage in Montgomery County, see http://capitalhealthconnection.org/.

 

February is Teen Dating Violence Prevention Month

This year marks the 4th annual Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (TDVAM), observed every year in February. TeenDVmonth.org is the online hub for all national activities and promotion of TDVAM, as well as the home of Break the Cycle and loveisrespect's annual public awareness campaign for TDVAM. The website, hosted by Break the Cycle, offers resources for youth, adults, and communities planning activities that aim to raise awareness of teen dating violence. The effects of teen dating violence reach far beyond the young people victimized. Throughout February, organizations and individuals nationwide are coming together to highlight the need to educate young people about dating violence, teach healthy relationship skills, and prevent the cycle of abuse. The National Youth Advisory Board of loveisrespect created Respect Week as part of TDVAM. This week, which kicks off February 11, provides young people with the opportunity to raise awareness through activities like "Wear Orange Day" on that Monday. They have provided this guide with information on this and other suggested activities.

 

MTV Reality Shows Contribute to Declines in Teen Births

The popular MTV shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom have contributed to significant declines in the U.S. teen birth rate, according to new research released today by economists at the University of Maryland and Wellesley College. The coauthors of the study—University of Maryland and Brookings Institution economist Melissa Kearney and Wellesley College economist Phillip Levine—report that the programs led to a 5.7 percent reduction in teen births or about one-third of the decline in teen births in the 18 months following the premiere of16 and Pregnant in June 2009.

Teen Pregnancy Rate Reaches another Historic Low

(WashingtonDC) -- The teen pregnancy rate in the United States continued to decline in 2009, according to data released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’sNational Center for Health Statistics. Since peaking in 1990, pregnancy has declined 52% for 15-17 year-olds and 36% for 18-19 year-olds. "The decline has been fueled by three factors: more teens are waiting to have sex; they also report fewer sexual partners and better use of contraception," said Sarah Brown, CEO of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Other findings from the new data include:

  • Between 1990 and 2009, pregnancy rates have fallen by 51% for non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black teens.
  • During this same period, pregnancy rates have fallen by 40% for Hispanic teens.

Visit www.cdc.gov/nchs to see the entire NCHS report.

 

Costs of Teen Childbearing

Teen childbearing in the United States cost taxpayers (federal, state, and local) at least $9.4 billion in 2010, according to an updated analysis released by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

These public sector costs would have been even higher had it not been for the roughly 50% decline in the U.S. teen birth rate between 1991 (the peak year for teen childbearing) and 2010. The estimated national savings to taxpayers in 2010 alone due to the substantial decline in the teen birth rate between 1991 and 2010 was $12 billion.

 

RESOURCES

Sexual Health Guide for Teens

A handy guide to teens most frequently asked questions about sexual health? Sex, Etc. hasjust such a guide! You can search by topic (relationships, pregnancy, and birth control, among others), and each question is followed by a detailed, thoughtful answer.

 

Teen Pregnancy Prevention among Latinos

Despite recent declines in teen childbearing, estimates suggest that 29 percent of Hispanic women will have a baby by the time they turn 20. Child Trends has developed a series of briefs and infographics related to teen pregnancy prevention for Hispanic teens.

 

New Vimeo from Healthy Teen Network

Check out this motiongraphic co-developed by Healthy Teen Network and CAI to help youth use health clinics and select a LARC. There are links to the Spanish and English versions. Feel free to disseminate widely and use. HTN has also developed a teacher's manual with lesson plan to help facilitate a discussion with youth after they watch the video.

RESEARCH

Physicians Steer Clear of Sex Talk with Adolescent Patients

According to a new study, nearly one-third of teens make it through their regular checkup without any discussion of sex at all. When sex is discussed, the conversation is often brief -- averaging just 36 seconds. Researchers recorded office visits involving 253 adolescents and 49 physicians for the study. Female patients, older patients, and African American patients were associated with more discussion of sexual issues. Asian doctors were less likely to broach the topic. Conversations about confidentiality also contributed to more in-depth discussion. Given the wide-ranging impacts of sexual development and sexual decision making on adolescent health, researchers believe that successful strategies for engaging teens in discussions about sexual health should be identified.

Read more at: http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1791584

 

Teen Contraceptive and Condom Use

Almost half of U.S. high school students have ever had sex, and their relatively low levels of contraceptive use are wreaking havoc. Teens ages 15 to 24 account for just under half of the 19 million new STDs diagnosed in the U.S. every year. And, despite recent declines, teen pregnancy rates in the U.S. remain higher than in other developed nations, partly due to lower contraceptive use in the U.S. This according to Contraceptive and Condom Use in Adolescence, which presents key findings about contraceptive and condom use and the prevalence and trends of STDs.

http://www.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013-06ContraceptiveCondomUse.pdf?utm_source=E-News%3A+America%27s+Disconnected+Families&utm_campaign=enews+1.23.2014&utm_medium=email

 

Health Concerns, Parental Attitudes, Constrain HPV Vaccination

According to new research, the number of U.S. adolescents being vaccinated against the HPV virus has grown over the last decade, but still remains low when compared to other vaccines. So what are the barriers to more extensive participation? Many parents feel they need more information, others are worried about the vaccine's impact on sexual activity, and some parents of boys do believe not that their sons will directly benefit from vaccination. Health professionals believe that expanding the rate of participation can save lives. "Continued efforts are needed to ensure that health care professionals and parents understand the importance of vaccinating adolescents before they become sexually active," the study authors stated. "Health care professionals may benefit from guidance on communicating HPV recommendations to patients and parents."

Read the full article at: http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1779687

 

Healthy Pregnancies Report: Healthy Lifestyles Are Key to Healthy Pregnancies

According to a new study, maintaining a healthy lifestyle -- including sustaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking and drugs, and keeping high blood pressure in check -- can dramatically improve the chances of an uncomplicated pregnancy and normal birth. The study underscores that relatively simple measures can make a dramatic difference. "We identified, replicated, and externally confirmed improvable factors associated with uncomplicated pregnancy," the authors stated. "These related to optimising weight, diet, cardiovascular fitness, and cessation of illicit drug use."

Read more at: http://www.bmj.com/content/347/bmj.f6398

 

Racial Disparities in HPV Vaccination: Does Access Matter?

In this study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, researchers examined the association between race/ethnicity and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine initiation and to determine how access to health care influences this relationship. There were significant racial/ethnic disparities in HPV vaccination; United States (US)-born Hispanics, foreign-born Hispanics, and African-Americans were less likely to have initiated vaccination than were whites. Lower rates of HPV vaccination among African-American females do not appear to be explained by differential access to health care. More research is necessary to elucidate factors contributing to HPV vaccination in this population.

 

Child Trends DataBank

The Child Trends DataBank is a one-stop source for the latest national trends and research on more than 100 key indicators of child and youth well-being, such as teen pregnancy, child maltreatment, and volunteerism among youth. Check out http://www.childtrends.org/databank/.

 

 

 

   
 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

 
         

TRAININGS & WEBINARS

Healthy Teen Network is excited to announce a new series of webinars designed to increase the capacity of youth-serving professionals. Register now to join us for one or two of the webinars. Can't make it live on the dates offered? We have you covered--recordings and slides will be available after the webinars, as well. CEUs (CHES and MCHES) are available. $35 per webinar for members; $40 for non-members.

Hearing the Child Within

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 from 3-4pm

A Journey to Change Behavior

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 from 3-4pm

 

Youth Development Practitioners Networking Night Out

Thursday, February 20, 2014 from 6-8pm

At 4010 Randolph Rd.Silver Spring (Downstairs theater-use Main Entrance)

Questions? Call Zamzam Nur at 301-354-4919 or zamzam.nur@collaborationcouncil.org

 

Choose Respect Healthy Teen Dating Conference

Sunday, February 23 from 1-4:30pm

At Montgomery College, Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus

Cultural Arts Center7995 Georgia AvenueSilver SpringMaryland 20910

To register: www.chooserespect2014.eventbrite.com

For more information: 240-777-5573

 

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Monday, March 10, 2014, is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a nationwide observance that sheds light on how the disease affects women and girls. OnMarch 10 — and throughout the month of March — thousands of individuals, organizations, and public health officials will host events and share facts about HIV/AIDS. You can join the Office on Women’s Health by registering a National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day event through Meetup Everywhere! Meetups give people and organizations an opportunity to organize and participate in activities that offer support, help reduce the stigma of HIV, and empower women to take control of their health.

Get started today! Visit the Join page to learn more about starting or joining a National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Meetup in your community.

 

Motivational Interviewing

Friday, March 28, 2014 from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Anne Arundel Community CollegeWest Campus, Center for Applied Technology (CALT) Room 107

101 College ParkwayArnoldMD 21012

Target Audience: Family planning staff, including clinic managers, clinicians, nurses, counselors, and educators

Course Description: Motivational Interviewing is a client-centered, directive method of counseling which enhances intrinsic motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. By viewing ambivalence as normal and, therefore, expected, Family Planning staff become better prepared to guide clients toward more sustainable behavior change. Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative effort which encourages client participation and supports client autonomy

No fee. If you are planning to attend, please register at http://training3info.org/training_detail.aspx?eID=588

Any questions about this training, please contact Christine Woolslayer atChristine@familyplanning.org.

 

National Healthy Start Annual Spring Conference

March 29-April 1, 2014

At Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill

For more information: http://nationalhealthystart.org/what_we_do/spring_conference/for_exhibitors_and_sponsors

 

Maryland Assembly on School-Based Health Care's 2014 Conference

Thursday, May 15 from 8am to 4:30pm

At Rockland Conference CenterStevenson University

10945 Boulevard Circle, Owings MillsMD 21117

Registration and Agenda to follow.

 

 

National Reproductive Health Title X Conference

August 2-6, 2014 in OrlandoFlorida

For more information, http://www.ctcfp.org/nrhc/

 

 

Ilene Sparber, LCSW-C, Consultant

Interagency Coalition on Adolescent Pregnancy

Dept. of Health & Human Services,School Health Services

401 Hungerford Drive, 2nd floor

RockvilleMD 20850

240-777-1728

240777-1860 FAX

ilene.sparber@montgomerycountymd.gov

www.mcicap.org