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Frequently Asked Questions

The following are a compilation of frequently asked questions (FAQs) that address information about established review procedures and criteria, updates from the latest round of reviews, and a summary of findings. More detailed information on the specific process and criteria used to conduct the review can be found on the Review Process page. If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us.
Last Updated December 2017.

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE REVIEW

What was the TPP Evidence Review?

From 2009 to 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sponsored an ongoing systematic review of the teen pregnancy prevention research literature, to help identify programs with evidence of effectiveness in reducing teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and associated sexual risk behaviors. The main purpose of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Evidence Review was to review research to examine study quality and assess whether program models have demonstrated positive impacts on sexual risk behavior and sexual health outcomes. These programs reflect a range of approaches that exist in the field (e.g., youth development, comprehensive sex education, abstinence, HIV/STI education, etc.). In addition to being a resource to organizations that work to prevent teen pregnancy, the TPP Evidence review was used by the former OAH’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention program and ACF's Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) to identify individual program models that can be selected for replication by potential grantees.
The TPP Evidence Review was managed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) in collaboration with the former Office of Adolescent Health (OAH), and the Administration for Children and Families’ Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The TPP Evidence Review was conducted through a contract with Mathematica Policy Research.

Who sponsored the TPP Evidence Review?

The TPP Evidence Review was a joint effort sponsored by three agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, the Family and Youth Services Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families, and the former Office of Adolescent Health within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.

How many program models met the TPP Evidence Review criteria for showing evidence of effectiveness?

There were 48 program models that have evaluation studies that met the TPP Evidence Review criteria for evidence of program effectiveness. The program models represent a range of different program approaches, including abstinence, comprehensive sex education, HIV/STI prevention, and youth development approaches.

When were the reviews conducted?

The findings from the initial review were released in Spring 2010 as part of the former Office of Adolescent Health Teen Pregnancy Prevention grant announcement. The review findings were updated on a period basis as new research emerged. Findings from the most recent update were released in Winter 2017.

How were the results of the review used by HHS?

Within HHS, the former OAH's Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) program and ACF's Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) relied on the TPP Evidence Review findings to identify individual program models that can be selected for replication by potential grantees. Questions about whether specific program models are eligible for federal funding should be directed to the appropriate program office.