The Casey Foundation launched the Plain Talk initiative in 1993 to help communities protect their youth from the consequences of arly sexual activity. The initiative responded to high teen birth rates in many low-income communities of color and research that shows adolescent childbearing can have long-term negative effects on both mother and child. The program teaches parents and neighborhood leaders how to communicate with teens about reproductive health issues such as adolescent pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease (STDs) and HIV/AIDS.
Years of program feedback show that young people who talk candidly with trained adults about sexual behavior are less likely to become pregnant, father a child or contract STDs. Over the last decade, Plain Talk communities have successfully:
- Decreased unwanted pregnancies
- Decrease the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases
- Decreased the incidence of HIV/AIDS
- Increased communication about reproductive health and responsible decision-making
- Increased access to contraceptives
We are currently replicating Plain Talk in many communities across the country. For more information, visit the Plain Talk website managed by our national replication partner, Public Private Ventures.
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