EngenderHealth Receives New Sexual Health Education Grant in Texas

New York, NY (July 23, 2015)—EngenderHealth has received a new five-year, $5 million award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to implement a comprehensive sexual health education grant in Central Texas aimed at preventing teen pregnancy and reducing sexually transmitted infections. The project is a continuation of EngenderHealth’s pioneering gender work in 26 countries around the world, known as Men As Partners. The innovative curriculum builds off evidence-based interventions and is specifically designed to engage youth.

Our Stories, Your Choices includes age-appropriate, medically accurate information on a broad set of topics related to sexuality, including human development, relationships, decision making, abstinence, contraception, and disease prevention. It utilizes parenting teens and adult mentors as well as game-based tools, technology, and storytelling to provide students with opportunities to learn and practice the crucial skills that teens need.

“This award allows us to continue our important work in Texas working with adolescents who are at high-risk of unwanted pregnancy,” said Jenifer DeAtley, LMSW, Director of US Programs & Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Program Advisor, EngenderHealth. “This new initiative aims to prevent pregnancy, but also to empower youth to make healthy decisions and meet their full potential.”

Texas has the third-highest teenage pregnancy rate in the United States, which poses significant consequences for teen parents and their children. In 2012, the average birthrate nationally was 29 births per 1,000 adolescents 15–19 years of age, while in Texas, the rate was 44 per 1,000. Teen pregnancy and childbearing have been associated with reduced educational and economic attainment of young parents, including reduced rates of high school graduation and college enrollment, and increased reliance on public assistance.

Working with People’s Community Clinic and Child Trends, Our Stories, Your Choices will build on EngenderHealth’s expertise in pregnancy prevention programs as part of the Gender Matters program in Texas, which was recognized by Healthy Teen Network as the most innovative program of 2013 and is currently undergoing a rigorous, five-year randomized evaluation of three cohorts.

About EngenderHealth

EngenderHealth is a leading global women’s health organization committed to ensuring that every pregnancy is planned, every child is wanted, and every mother has the best chance at survival. We train health care professionals and partner with governments and communities in nearly 20 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.engenderhealth.org.

About Gender Matters

Gender Matters is an innovative, science-based, gender-transformative teen pregnancy prevention curriculum that incorporates cutting-edge research on gender-based attitudes and behaviors to prevent teen pregnancy. Gender Matters has been recognized by Healthy Teen Network as the most innovative program of 2013.