Release Date: January 26, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ana Sandoval, PPAC Communications, 916.446.5247
California's Program to Reduce Teen Pregnancy -
Most Successful in the Nation
But Program Could End with Governor's Proposed Cuts
SACRAMENTO -- A national study released today shows California has the most successful programs to reduce teen pregnancy in the nation. In fact, the Guttmacher Institute says California programs reduced teen pregnancy rates by more than 50 percent between 1992 and 2005. But the very program which has helped spearhead this movement, FamilyPACT is threatened with elimination should the Governor's proposed budget cuts go into effect.
"It's more than penny-wise, pound foolish," said Kathy Kneer, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, "it's fiscally irresponsible and just plain wrong. For every one dollar California spends on family planning, the Federal Government returns $9 to the state. Not only does this new study show that this program really makes a difference, but it is exactly the kind of "federal" commitment the Governor is demanding on other budget issues. I trust our legislators will reject this cut."
Kneer cites a study released today by the Guttmacher Institute which has tracked teen pregnancy rates for nearly two decades. That study, like others, indicates a marked reduction in teen pregnancy rates in the 1990s as a result of more knowledge about and use of contraceptives among sexually active teens. But it notes a disturbing and recent uptick in teen pregnancy rates, beginning in the early 2000s when sex education programs began to exclusively promote abstinence-only at the expense of comprehensive sex education. The study says: "(this increase) coincides with an increase in rigid abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, which received major funding boosts under the Bush administration. A strong body of research shows that these programs do not work."
Programs like FamilyPACT have always included information about both abstinence and contraception," Kneer said. "Because as much as we would like, and in fact encourage teens to talk to their parents before becoming sexually active, we know the reality. And that means making contraception available to teens."
Last year Planned Parenthood treated hundreds of thousands of women and men, teens and adults. Our health centers provided not only contraceptive and family planning services, but also breast and cervical cancer screenings, STI tests and care, well-baby clinics and immunizations.
"Cutting these essential health care services makes no sense," Kneer said. "FamilyPACT, which was instituted during the Pete Wilson administration is the "star" of family planning programs in the nation. We should be proud of what we have accomplished, not be punished by the Governor's budget which could prevent millions of Californians from accessing care, when they need it the most."
Resource Links:
- Guttmacher Institute January 2010 Issue Brief on Teen Pregnancy
- Guttmacher Institute January 2010 Report on Teen Pregnancy
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Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is the state public policy office representing California's nine separately incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC promotes sound public policy in areas of preventive health care, reproductive health and comprehensive sex education.
