Parental consent and access to contraceptive services among teens: What are current trends and what can we do to address them?


Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

3138.3: Monday, December 12, 2005 - 12:30 PM

Abstract #109802

Pat Paluzzi, CNM, DrPH¹, Abigail English, JD², and Molly Knopf, MSW¹. (1) Healthy Teen Network, 509 Second Street, NE Suite 200, Washington, DC 20002, 2025478814, Pat@HealthyTeenNetwork.org, (2) Center for Adolescent Health and the Law, 310 Kildaire Road, Suite 100, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Access to confidential contraceptive services is an important component of reducing unintended pregnancies among teens. Teens report a reduced likelihood of accessing contraceptive services if parental consent is required. There is a growing trend across the US to mandate parental consent for such services. Texas, Utah and McHenry County, Illinois have recently imposed such regulations. One researcher has already demonstrated increased teen births in the Illinois County. Healthy Teen Network (HTN) with the Center for Adolescent Health and the Law (CAHL) is conducting a survey of 32 managers and clinicians across four states to assess the level and impact of such activites as well as determine appropriate resources and supports for clinicians and the youth they serve. This presentation will describe the study design, provide survey results and pose next steps.

Learning Objectives:

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session attendees will be able to

1. Describe the impact of parental consent laws on adolescents’ ability to access reproductive health services.
2. Identify what they can do to prevent further imposition of parental consent laws on all three levels.
3. Identify two resources or products that would help facilitate or improve the delivery of adolescent reproductive health care.

Keywords: Adolescents, Access and Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Critical Issues Affecting Women's Health and Innovative Strategies Preserving Women's Health

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA