History of PlainTalk

Overview | Goals & Components | Phase I | Phase II

Although the teen birth rate has declined over the past decade, teen pregnancy is still prevalent in many low-income communities of color. The rates for both Hispanic and African American teens remain higher than for other groups. Notably, the United States has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births in the Western industrialized world, and teen pregnancy costs the U.S. at least $7 billion annually.1 In addition, nearly four in ten young women become pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20 – nearly one million pregnancies a year. Eight in ten of these pregnancies are unintended, and 79 percent are to unmarried teens.2

The United States has the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the industrialized world, with rates that are 50 to 100 times higher than other industrialized nations. An estimated 12 million new cases of STDs are reported in the United States each year, 3 million of which occur among teenagers.3 In light of these statistics and recent research on adolescent reproductive health, several core assumptions can be made:

Plain Talk
  • Large numbers of teens – both girls and boys – are having sexual intercourse, and trends suggest that their numbers are increasing
  • Sexually active teens need to know they are at risk for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases
  • Many parents and other adults know that young people are sexually active
  • Adults want to be able to give teens effective guidance on the issue and are willing to learn the skills and information needed to effectively communicate with young people
  • Sexually active youth need contraceptive/protective methods and services that are both age-appropriate and accessible.

Concern for America’s at-risk, sexually active youth prompted the Annie E. Casey Foundation to develop Plain Talk – a unique approach to the prevention of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Hablando Claro is the program name used in the Spanish-speaking sites. The Plain Talk/Hablando Claro strategy is quite simple. If you increase adult/teen communication about sex, and increase sexually active teens’ access to contraceptives, you will decrease the number of unwanted pregnancies, STDs and HIV/AIDS.

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  1. National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. (1997). Whatever Happened to Childhood? The Problem of Teen Pregnancy in the United States. Washington, DC.
  2. Martin, J.A. Hamilton, B.E. Ventura, S.J. Menacher, F. & Park, M.M. (2002). Births: Final Data for 2000. National Vital Statistics Reports 50(5).
  3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Report to Congress (August 2000).

 

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