Walking the Plain Talk

Protecting Sexually Active Teens in Atlanta, New Orleans and San Diego

By the Annie E. Casey Foundation

June 13, 2000

Summary

Teen sex carries consequences, not only in the form of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, but those pregnancies lead to lower high school graduation rates and higher dependence on federal assistance. Plain Talk was a community-wide pregnancy-reduction initiative of the Annie E. Casey Foundation targeting low-income neighborhoods. This article published in 2000 presents several communities and their efforts to implement the Plain Talk plan. 

Key Takeaway

The most successful sites gave decision-making authority to residents.

Communicating with teens through Plain Talk increased the use of birth control, decreased the rate of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, and increased the number of teens accessing healthcare advice.

Findings & Stats

Statements & Quotations