SAFE SEX: RESOURCE LIST


Media and Safer Sex

American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement: Sexuality, Contraception and the Media
American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement provides an important policy statement supported by a summary of research pertaining to teen sexuality and media. Media literacy is strongly suggested as a necessary part of sex education programs today and research focused on the curriculum Take It Seriously: Sex, Abstinence and Media (TISSAM) is cited here as an example demonstrating the positive impact a media literacy curriculum can have in addressing issues of teen sexuality.

Teen Health and the Media
Teen Health and the Media, developed by the Teen Futures Media Network, University of Washington and initiated with funding from the Washington State Department of Health addresses a range of teen health issues, including safer sex. The site introduces media literacy education as a strategy for addressing each of these important health issues with teens. As an example, see the section on Family Planning

Advocates for Youth
Advocates for Youth has been very interested in media issues. Among its activities focused on media, see:

Online Youth Social Marketing Toolkit
Here is a step-by-step guide provided by California STD/HIV Prevention Training Center for developing a social marketing campaign designed to reach youth. This site addresses the many decisions involved in developing a campaign and offers practical examples from the field of sexual and reproductive heath.

Planned Parenthood
See Planned Parenthood's Federation of America’s Maggie Awards. These awards are intended to recognize outstanding contributions by media and arts entertainment industries that help “enhance the public’s understanding of reproductive rights and health care issues, including contraception, sex education, teen pregnancy, abortion, and international family planning.” Check out the latest list of award recipients.


Other Resources

Birth Control: Choosing the Method That’s Right for You
This user-friendly booklet, Birth Control: Choosing the Method That’s Right for You published by the Washington State Department of Health provides important information about each of the most common methods of birth control. A Spanish version of this booklet is also available.

Contraceptive Fact Sheets
These Contraceptive Fact Sheets available in both English and Spanish were designed as a training tool for professionals to increase their knowledge about birth control options. They can also serve as useful handouts.

Emergency Contraception Basics
Check out the Emergency Contraception Website provided by Princeton University for basic information about the different types of emergency contraceptive pills and using the Copper-T Intrauterine Device as emergency contraception.

Facts about Emergency Contraception
The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals provides this Fact Sheet about Emergency Contraception available in both English and Spanish were designed as a training tool for professionals to increase their knowledge about birth control options. They can also serve as useful handouts.

Birth Control Guide Food and Drug Administration Booklet
This Birth Control Guide Food and Drug Administration Booklet guide provided by FDA, Office of Women’s Health, offers basic facts about the different kinds of FDA-approved medicines and devices for birth control.

Birth Control Pill FAQ: Benefits, Risks and Choices
See this Birth Control Pill FAQ: Benefits, Risks and Choices resource provided by the Mayo Clinic for answers to some common frequently asked questions about birth control pills.

Contraceptive Fact Sheets
Check out the Contraceptive Fact Sheets provided by Princeton University for basic information about the different types of emergency contraceptive pills and using the Copper-T Intrauterine Device as emergency contraception.

Facts about Emergency Contraception
Emergency Contraception Website, an organization dedicated to promoting media literacy, features a range of teen-generated film concerning media literacy education and its importance. Your students may be interested in hearing and seeing how other teens describe their views about media literacy as it relates to a range of topics.

Health Matter Fact Sheets: Which Contraceptive Is Right for You?
This set of Health Matter Fact Sheets is produced by the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals.

I Wanna Know
The I Wanna Know is provided by the American Social Health Association. The site offers information about a variety of sexual health issues and includes separate sections for parents and educators.

Kids Health: Nemours Foundation
The Kids Health website offered by the Nemours Foundation contains information for both teens and parents.

Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine (NLM) and National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Check out some of the Medline Plus resources for authoritative information about topics you are exploring. For instance, check out birth control. Be sure to see the links such as those offered for teenagers listed on this page for information about topics of specific interest.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Check out ACOG’s publication addressing methods of birth control. Diagrams are also offered.