1st Edition
Teenage Pregnancy and Young Parenthood Effective Policy and Practice
Teenage Pregnancy and Young Parenthood provides a comprehensive, unparalleled insight into the UK Government’s highly successful Teenage Pregnancy Strategy (TPS) for England which reduced the under-18 pregnancy rate by well over 50%, and considers how the lessons from this policy can be applied internationally.
This important book captures and shares the lessons from the TPS for future governments and policy makers, and documents the details of implementing a long-term strategy with its innovative approach to policy issues. After providing the rationale for prioritising teenage pregnancy, the book demonstrates evidence for what is effective, both in helping young people avoid unplanned pregnancy and in improving outcomes for young parents. The TPS is analysed against the World Health Organisation’s key actions for effective scale-up of adolescent sexual and reproductive health programmes, to offer an important contribution to international understanding of this global public health challenge.
Advocating a ‘whole systems’ multi-agency approach this book translates evidence into clear action, and combines theory and practice with illustrative case studies to demonstrate how to implement policy successfully. It is valuable reading for policy makers and practitioners dealing with young people’s health, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students in the fields of psychology, health studies, social work, youth work, education, social policy, sociology and related disciplines.
Dedication, Acknowledgements, Foreword, Introduction, Chapter 1: Variation in teenage conception rates, Chapter 2: Reducing rates of teenage conceptions, Chapter 3: England’s teenage pregnancy strategy: rationale, development and first phase implementation, Chapter 4: The second phase of implementation: reviewing, redoubling effort and reaching the target!, Chapter 5: Translating evidence into action: the ten key factors for an effective strategy, Chapter 6: Improving the lives of teenage mothers, young fathers and their children, Chapter 7: Sharing lessons internationally to galvanise action, Epilogue
Biography
Alison Hadley OBE is the Director of the Teenage Pregnancy Knowledge Exchange at the University of Bedfordshire and previously led the implementation of the Labour government’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy for England.
Roger Ingham is Professor of Health and Community Psychology at the Centre for Sexual Health Research at the University of Southampton.
Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli works in the World Health Organization’s Department of Reproductive Health and Research.
‘This extraordinary book charts the development, implementation and evaluation of the UK Government’s highly successful Teenage Pregnancy Strategy for England, which reduced the under-18 pregnancy rate by well over 50%. It highlights the principles – of evidence, of partnership, and of the need for a holsitic approach – that brought about the change. And it signals the important role that Government can play in promoting young people’s sexual and reproductive health. Reflecting on her own experience and the voices of the strategy’s participants, Alison Hadley identifies key lessons for the future. A key resource and a compelling read. Strongly recommended to all who seek success in sexual and reproductive health.’ - Peter Aggleton, Scientia Professor in Education and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia, and Visiting Professor, UCL Institute of Education, London.
‘Inside find an important story of success...Teen pregnancy is influenced by social forces that shape adolescent opportunities - particularly education and employment - for a successful future and factors such as knowledge and use of contraception. Social progress in a nation is also create by enlightened political leadership and the committed leadership of individual citizens. The success of the English strategy to prevent teenage pregnancy is a testament to all of these. Alison Hadley, Venkratraman Chandra-Mouli and Roger Ingham tell an extraordinary tale of scientific understanding, visionary leadership, and long-term dedication to adolescent sexual and reproductive health. A story from which we all can learn.’ - John Santelli, MD, MPH, Professor, Population and Family Health and Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York City, USA
"This book offers a valuable insight into the development and implementation of a long-term strategy to successfully address a complex public health priority. As well as documenting the important detail of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy and its practical application at local level, it importantly includes the voices of those involved. This brings to life the reality of delivering the programme and illustrates the extraordinary commitment of so many people to improving young people's choices. As England continues to apply the lessons and make further progress, I am delighted the learning is being shared internationally in collaboration with the World Health Organisation." Duncan Selbie, Public Health England
Praise for the TPS
"England's Teenage Pregnancy Strategy: a hard-won success." --Professor Rachel Skinner, University of Sydney in the Lancet Comment (6 August 2016)
"The drop in teenage pregnancies is the success story of our time." --Polly Toynbee in the Guardian (13 December 2013)
