Updated Findings from the HHS Teen Pregnancy Prevention Evidence Review: January 2011 Through April 2013

Since 2009, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has sponsored an ongoing systematic review of the teen pregnancy prevention research literature to help identify programs with evidence of effectiveness in reducing teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and associated sexual risk behaviors. Mathematica Policy Research and Child Trends conduct the Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Evidence Review, with support from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), Office of Adolescent Health (OAH), and the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

As of spring 2012, the review team had identified 31 programs meeting the review criteria for evidence of effectiveness. These criteria require programs to show evidence of a favorable, statistically significant program impact on at least one sexual behavior or reproductive health outcome of interest (sexual activity, contraceptive use, STIs, pregnancy, or birth). In addition, the supporting research studies must meet established criteria for the quality and execution of their research designs. To identify the 31 programs meeting these criteria, the review team identified and assessed about 200 studies released from 1989 through January 2011.