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GAO Report: 500,000 Births a Year But Few Tested Programs

Date:	1986-07-21
Report no.:	PEMD-86-16BR
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Subjects:	Birth control services, Health care programs, Mass media, Pregnancy, Proposed legislation, Public relations, Teenagers, Women, Teenage pregnancy, AFDC, Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program, DOL Employment Training Services for the Disadvantaged Program, HHS Adolescent Family Life Program, HHS Family Planning Program, Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children, WIC,
Summary:	In response to a congressional request, GAO commented on: (1) the extent of teenage pregnancy; (2) programs in place to address teenage pregnancy; (3) the effectiveness of the programs; and (4) ways to make future legislation maximally effective. GAO found that: (1) teenage pregnancy increased in the past decade for unmarried mothers under 18 years old; (2) only one program currently exists that focuses exclusively on the issue; (3) prevention-only projects had few effects on fertility or contraception; (4) post-pregnancy projects had short-term effects on repeat pregnancy, child health status, and the return to high school; and (5) previous programs lacked public support and client participation. GAO also found that, to be effective, future legislation should: (1) consist of media campaigns to improve programs' success; (2) target services to young, unmarried teenagers; (3) be flexible and provide for simple program structure; and (4) promote innovation and the dissemination of program information.