Teens play crucial role in communicating integrated messages to other teens. (From the Editor).

Last fall I asked organizations across the country to send me descriptions of programs they had developed to integrate information about teen pregnancy, STDs, and HIV. I received dozens submissions telling me about peer programs, lesson plans, curricula, certification programs, and media campaigns as well as coalitions, partnerships, and agency consolidations.

As I read the descriptions, I was struck by the regularity with which people had involved teens in the integration process. This was particularly true of the programs and lessons. No doubt, program planners realized that teens play a critical role in reaching other teens with important information.

I discovered an underlying truth after reviewing the submissions. It was that teens automatically integrate prevention messages about pregnancy, STDs, and HIV when they tell their real life stories.

TEEN INVOLVEMENT

I would like to focus my column on teen involvement in communicating prevention messages. I think this is important to the success of such programs.

The Role Model program developed by the Family Health Council of Pittsburgh, PA, interviews young African American and Latino teens about their decisions to change their risky behaviors and develop safer sexual practices. The interviews are published in pamphlets that include integrated messages. They are distributed one-on-one by teens to their peers.

The Pillow Talk program developed by the Adolescent Communication and Education Program (ACE) in New Orleans, LA, uses the same premise--but is totally verbal. Young African American females attended slumber parties where they talk to each other about making health decisions relating to sexuality.

The Teen Advocates Sharing Knowledge (TASK) program at the YWCA in Malden, MA, encourages young people to talk among themselves and with their parents and teachers about pressing issues ranging from self-image and trust to pregnancy and STDs. Each month approximately five to 10 TASK teens conduct workshops after school, during school vacations, and on some Saturdays. These interactive sessions provide teens with opportunities for growth and development not always available in school.

As you read this SIECUS Report, I think you will be amazed at the work teens are doing to help each other prevent unwanted pregnancy, STDs, and HIM It's a truly positive picture of integration in action.

INTEGRATED INFORMATION

As educators expand their teaching responsibilities to include a variety of sexuality-related subjects, they will need additional resources. This is especially true in the area of contraceptive technology and STD/HIV prevention. New products and tests are regularly appearing on the market.

To help teachers accomplish what is already an over-whelming task, we decided to develop an "integrated" bibliography. We are proud to include with this SIECUS Report the new "SIECUS Annotated Bibliography on Preventing STDs, HIM and Teen Pregnancy."

We have put this together with the goal of providing professionals with the most current information on these subjects. We have also divided it into four categories: "Integrated Discussions on Adolescent Health," "HIV/AIDS," "STDs," and "Pregnancy Prevention." It also includes a comprehensive directory of organizations who work on these issues.

In addition, we are including a new "SIECUS Fact Sheet on Sexually Transmitted Diseases." It is the second that incorporates our new design. The first was our "SIECUS Fact Sheet on Condoms."

CONCLUSION

I think this issue of the SIECUS Report contains important information on developing effective sexual health programs. It highlights not only the unique programs currently underway across the nation but also the work that lies ahead in terms of breaking down bureaucratic funding barriers.

The fine tuning of programs to integrate efforts can certainly help sexuality educators and sexual health professionals move closer to their goal of helping people experience the wholeness of who they are as human beings.

This includes having meaningful relationships, remaining free from disease, and making thoughtful, mature decisions that will lead to a healthy and happy life.

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