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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 April 2023.

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE REVIEW

What is the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Evidence Review?

Since 2009, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has sponsored a systematic review of the teen pregnancy prevention research literature. This review helps identify programs with evidence of effectiveness in reducing teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and HIV, and associated sexual risk behaviors. The main purpose of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Evidence Review (TPPER) is 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 variety of approaches in the field (for example, positive youth development, sexual health education, sexual risk avoidance, clinic-based programs, and healthy relationships). In addition to being a resource to organizations that work to prevent teen pregnancy, the TPPER is used by the Office of Population Affairs’ Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) grant program and the Administration for Children and Families’ Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) to inform which program models can be selected for replication by grantees.
The TPPER is managed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in collaboration with the Office of Population Affairs, and the Administration for Children and Families’ Family and Youth Services Bureau within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The TPPER is conducted through a contract with Mathematica.

Who sponsors the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Evidence Review?

The TPPER is a joint effort sponsored by three agencies in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, the Office of Population Affairs within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, and the Family and Youth Services Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families.

How many program models meet the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Evidence Review criteria for showing evidence of effectiveness?

Fifty-two program models have evaluation studies that meet the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Evidence Review criteria for evidence of program effectiveness. The program models represent a variety of program approaches, including sexual risk avoidance, sexual health education, clinic-based, healthy relationship, and positive 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 (now Office of Population Affairs) Teen Pregnancy Prevention grant announcement. The review findings are updated periodically as new research emerges. Findings from the most recent update were released in spring 2023 and covers a subset of studies identified between the period from October 2016 through May 2022.

How does the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services use the results of the review?

Within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Population Affairs’ Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) program and the Administration for Children and Families’ Personal Responsibility Education Program rely on the TPP Evidence Review findings to inform which program models can be selected for replication by grantees. Please contact the appropriate program office for questions about whether specific program models are eligible for federal funding.