Objectives, activities, instructional methods, and resources are listed for a 10-lesson unit plan for teaching about women's health issues at the secondary school level. Body image, menstrual health, substance abuse, breast and genital cancer, occupational health, pregnancy, and aging are discussed. (CB)

This article describes a rural teenage pregnancy program and compares the pregnancy outcomes to 60 matched nonparticipants. The study determined a relationship existed between program participation and maternal complications, birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score, and perinatal morbidity. (Author/MT)

Mothers observed at 3 to 5 months postpartum interacting with their infants were given attitude questionnaires. Mothers who had reported preganancy problems were more depressed and anxious and expressed more punitive childrearing attitudes than mothers not reporting pregnancy problems. (Author/NH)

Reviews literature on intervention programs for adolescent mothers. Focuses on specific goals: minimizing obstetrical complications, fostering positive parent-child interactions, reducing social isolation and maximizing support, and eliminating repeat out-of-wedlock pregnancies. Reports that all programs reviewed displayed moderate success, and…

Explored psychosocial characteristics of 140 married teenage mothers matched with nonpregnant teenagers and pregnant women 20 years or older. The groups did not differ significantly on personalty tests. Pregnant women reported poorer daughter-father relationships. Interview data suggested that a large number of the pregnancies were psychologically…

Social work clinicians who continue to practice during pregnancy should be aware that their condition will affect their clients' responses as well as their own, and that the pregnancy may even present unique treatment opportunities. (Author)

Launched by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in the early 1990s, Plain Talk is a community-based initiative that seeks to reduce the incidence of teen pregnancy and STDs by improving adult/teen communication about sex. A key component of the program is parental involvement--which was once seen by many in the adolescent reproductive health (ARH) field…

"Science Briefs" summarize the findings and implications of a recent study in basic science or clinical research. This Brief summarizes the findings and implications of "Exposure to Repetitive versus Varied Stress during Prenatal Development Generates Two Distinct Enxiogenic and Veuroendocrine Profiles in Adulthood" (H. N. Richardson; E. P.…

Plain Talk is a neighborhood-based initiative aimed at helping adults, parents, and community leaders develop the skills and tools they need to communicate effectively with young people about reducing adolescent sexual risk-taking. Plain Talk was implemented in five urban neighborhoods in: Atlanta (Georgia); San Diego (California): Seattle…

This revised edition discusses how to use the standards and differentiation of Child Welfare League of America's (CWLA) Standards of Excellence and the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children's Standards for Accreditation. An introduction to the CWLA's standards discusses the following issues relating to teen pregnancy:…

This policy brief is the fourth of a series of analyses of Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) data by CLASP. Head Start, a federal early education program for low-income children and families, was scheduled to be reauthorized by Congress in 2003 and may still be considered in 2004. Today, these programs provide, directly or through…

This policy brief is the fifth of a series of analyses of Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) data by CLASP (Center for Law and Social Policy). It describes the picture for Head Start and Early Head Start children, families, and programs in the 2002-2003 program year. In this brief, "Head Start" refers to all Head Start programs, including…

This paper analyzes selected films and filmstrips (according to five broad classifications: biology, family life, social development, personality, and social issues) as part of a larger study defining the specific subject matter of sex education. The amount of attention given to the topics of reproduction, fertilization and birth processes,…

The author discusses the characteristics and feelings of women undergoing abortion. She mentions the decisions which counselors must help such women face, the information they must be given, and the types of support they need. Increased counseling services are needed, she feels, for the markedly increased number of women seeking abortions. (EK)

Reviews studies of the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on man and other organisms. Concludes that pure LSD injected in moderate doses does not cause chromosome or detectable genetic damage and is not a teratogen or carcinogen. (JM)