ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

Leading Local Organizations Host Emergency Contraception Experts

Emergency Contraception to Prevent Thousands of Pregnancies Each Year

WASHINGTON, DC (July 17, 2000) Citing the fact that each year in the U.S. more than 800,000 teens become pregnant, five leading adolescent health and advocacy organizations call for widespread access to emergency contraception (EC) for the prevention of unintended pregnancy.

Advocates for Youth, the D.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, the D.C. Primary Care Association, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, and the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association bring national and local experts together today for a round table discussion, Emergency Contraception for Adolescents in the District of Columbia.

James Wagoner, President of Advocates for Youth, highlights the importance of this critical meeting. "Most women seeking emergency contraception are less than 25 years old, have never been pregnant, and have used some method of contraception in the past. As public health advocates, it is our responsibility to provide these women with access to this critical contraceptive option," said Wagoner.

When taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, EC can drastically reduce the rate of unintended pregnancy. Emergency contraception does not terminate an already established pregnancy. However, less than one quarter of teen women are aware that 'anything' can be done after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.

"With almost 90% of the teen pregnancies each year unintended, we must work to ensure that all young people have access to emergency contraception for the prevention of unintended pregnancy," said Brenda Rhodes Miller, Executive Director of D.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

The round table discussion, Emergency Contraception for Adolescents in the District of Columbia, will be held from 8:30 AM—2:00 PM ET at the Academy for Educational Development, 1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW, in Washington, DC.

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Note to Editors and Producers: For more information or to set up an interview with adolescent sexuality experts, please contact Bill Barker at (202) 419-3420.

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