New Videos Promote Awareness of Emergency Contraception as Tool
to Prevent Unintended Pregnancies among Teens

1/9/2022 11:30:00 AM EST

Seeking to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies among teens,
The California Family Health Council, Inc., today launched a new media
effort to increase awareness of Emergency Contraception (EC) as an
effective back up contraceptive method. Starting today, three 30 second
video spots will be broadcast on local cable networks communicating
important messages to teens about emergency contraception (EC). The
messages are "You don’t get pregnant that fast" — there’s
still time to take EC pills to prevent a pregnancy — and "Don’t
be Scared…Be Prepared," which encourages obtaining EC pills
ahead of time.

One video features young women at a slumber party, where one reveals
she’s worried about becoming pregnant. Another features two young
men shooting hoops, when one shares his pregnancy scare experience
with his buddy. The third video features a couple who are just plain
scared when they could have been prepared after a condom break.

Each video will offer viewers a California EC Hotline
and an informational website www.TeenSource.org.

"Our purpose in this campaign is not to encourage sexual activity
among teens, but to prevent unplanned pregnancy," said Ron Frezieres,
Director of Research for the California Family Health Council. "But
the bottom line is that today many young people are sexually active,
and while we would hope that they have taken steps to prevent unplanned
pregnancy, the reality is that accidents happen, and Emergency Contraceptives
offer a safe and effective method of contraception for those who need
it."

Emergency Contraceptive (EC) pills were approved by the Federal Drug
Administration (FDA) for prescription use under the brand name Plan
B in 1999. EC pills, like Plan B, contain birth control hormones which
can be taken within 5 days after sex to help prevent a pregnancy.
EC pills provide a boost of hormones which work primarily to delay
or inhibit ovulation and may prevent fertilization or implantation,
but will not work if a woman is already pregnant.

The Emergency Contraception videos were developed by two CFHC sponsored
projects, the Emergency Contraception Initiative and TeenSource.org,
and produced by D. Street productions. The videos are available in
English and Spanish versions. Adelphia cable networks will be airing
the videos on Los Angeles and East San Fernando Valley networks, including
Comedy Central, MTV, Spike, Nick at Nite and Galavision. The video
clips will be aired beginning January 9 with over 50 spots per network
being played during a six week period.

CONTACT:

The California Family Health Council, Inc. Anna Garcia, 213-386-5614
x 4596 [email protected] or Stone’s Throw Strategic Communications
John McDonald