Data Source: Nevada Vital Statistics, 2001-2003 Emil DeJan, MPH, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Health Planning and Statistics, Wei Yang, PhD, State Chief Biostatistician and Director, Nevada State Health Division, Nevada State Department of Human Resources

STD Infection, cases and rate per 100,000 people:

Data Source: Nevada State Health Division, Bureau of Community Health, Communicable Disease Program, HARS and STD*MIS databases. Population number provided by the Nevada State Demographer, 2005 Population Estimates.

In 1971 a group of citizens who had come together out of concern about population issues opened the first Planned Parenthood clinic in Reno, Planned Parenthood of Northern Nevada (PPNN). Furnished with a few old desks, exam tables, and couches from their homes, the clinic was staffed by volunteers.

PPNN continued to expand and in 1988 opened a second health center to meet the growing need of family planning services in our community. In 1996, PPNN merged with Planned Parenthood Mar Monte now serving 40 counties in Nevada and California.

Planned Parenthood has been providing much needed education and reproductive health services in Northern Nevada for 35 years. Each year, our two Reno health centers and our Lake Tahoe offices help over 23,000 area residents by providing gynecological health care services, birth control, breast and cervical cancer screenings, pregnancy testing, STD screening and treatment, HIV testing and counseling for women, teens, and men.

Nevada’s teen pregnancy rates are well documented. According to the most recent statistics, Nevada has moved from the highest teen pregnancy rate to the 12^th highest in the nation. In Washoe County, the average teen pregnancy rate was 33.58 per 1,000 females ages 15-17. All teen pregnancy rates for ages 15-19 decreased from 2002 to 2003. PPMM started three teen pregnancy prevention programs in 2001 to address this critical issue in our state. Teen pregnancy rates are also dropping across the country. Researchers cite two main reasons for the drop in teen birth rates: teens are delaying sex and those who are sexually active are more likely to know about contraceptives. The social and economic cost of teen pregnancy is immense. It has been estimated that for every dollar spent on unintended pregnancy the state and federal governments save three dollars in Medicaid costs for prenatal and newborn care.

Data Source: Nevada Vital Statistics, 2001-2003

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte operates several education and outreach programs in Northern Nevada designed to help teens, men, and women make health and responsible decisions about their sexual behavior and their bodies.

• Teen Talk targets at-risk middle school girls and focuses on self-esteem and self-efficacy, respect for others, communication and goal setting. Twenty-two girls are currently enrolled in this abstinence-based after school program that emphasizes postponement of sexual involvement.
• Twenty-four Washoe County girls are enrolled in our two Teen Success support groups for pregnant and parenting teens to help them avoid repeat pregnancies, stay in school and learn to plan positive futures for themselves and their children. Scholarship opportunities are available to encourage post high school education.
• Youth Alert reaches out to females or mixed gender groups ages 12-24. The curriculum provides reproductive knowledge and skills practice for youth to reduce unintended teen pregnancy. Graduates of the program are eligible to become Peer Educators.
• The Male Investment Program reaches out to at-risk young males promoting male responsibility in the prevention of unintended pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections, informed decision-making, and good communication. Since the program began in 2001, over 5000 Nevada teen males and young men have participated. Many of these young men have left gangs and now volunteer as Peer Educators.
• Our Peer Educator program includes 15 graduates of the Male Investment Program or Youth Alert program who receive volunteer experience and leadership opportunities educating their peers in the Reno/Sparks area on responsible sexuality.
• Parents Talk is a single-session workshop for parents providing an overview of the stages of sexuality during child and adolescent development. Parents learn tips for talking with teens about sexuality.

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte celebrates several annual events. Each January a reception is held to commemorate the Roe v. Wade anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established the constitutional right of women to choose to have a safe and legal abortion. An advertisement is also submitted to the local newspaper with the names of supporters who stand up for American women’s reproductive freedom.

In February during National Condom Week PPMM staff reach out to college age students providing information on sexual responsibility and safe sex through outreach on campus and pub crawls at local "hot spots" for students.

In May during Teen Pregnancy Prevention month community educators provide high school outreach and table at health fairs focusing on teen pregnancy prevention and reproductive health.

In October for National Family Sexuality Education Month, PPMM provides Parents Talk workshops for parents to help them communicate with their children on sexuality issues. Parents learn tips for talking with their teens about sexuality and how to keep the lines of communication open.

Nevada state law mandates each school district establish a sexuality education program. The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees has adopted a sexuality education curriculum called the S.H.A.R.E. PROGRAM (Sexuality, Health, and Responsibility Education).

The mission of the S.H.A.R.E. program is to provide students with a factual comprehensive abstinence-based instructional program delivered by specially trained teachers addressing HIV/AIDS awareness, reproductive system, sexually transmitted infections, and sexual responsibility. The focus of the S.H.A.R.E. program is to help students make informed choices and avoid at risk behavior.

Originally S.H.A.R.E. was planned as a K-12 course, but funding has since been cut and instruction is now in 4th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th grades. Specially trained teachers and nurses deliver the information in age-appropriate lessons. The program complies with state policies. The S.H.A.R.E. program curriculum is considered one of the most comprehensive in the state.

School districts however are struggling with budget demands. While it hasn’t been discussed at the public level, a concern is that some Washoe County School District Board of Trustees might consider accepting federal funds for "abstinence only" programs. These programs do not include family planning, disease prevention, and responsible decision-making skills.

Every school district in Nevada has a different curriculum with inconsistent information available. Planned Parenthood supports curriculum providing uniformly medically accurate age appropriate sexuality education that covers abstinence and contraception education.

While Planned Parenthood is doing it’s part to provide family planning and health care services to low income families in Nevada, the state is still in dire need of funding with many people’s needs not being met.

According to the Guttmacher Institute’s study entitled Contraception Counts, Nevada has 251,290 women in need of contraceptive services. Of these 251,290 women 122,200 of them need these services to be publicly funded. These 122,200 women either have incomes that place them below the poverty level or are sexually active teenagers. Publicly funded family planning clinics in Nevada help prevent 7,700 unintended pregnancies each year and serve 39% of all women in need and 33% of teenagers in need.

Every dollar spent on family planning services saves the federal and state governments three dollars in Medicaid costs for prenatal and newborn care. States can play a major role in helping women avoid unintended pregnancy by adopting policies that support family planning services.

Planned Parenthood meets the needs of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) community through compassionate non-judgmental health care, education and outreach. Planned Parenthood staff, educators and outreach workers are trained to use inclusive language replacing terms such as "boyfriend or "girlfriend" with "partner" and talk about different "kinds" of sex and their risks. A Diversity program is available with specific discussion of LGBTQ issues. An alliance has recently been formed between the Queer Student Union (QSU) of the University of Nevada, Reno and Planned Parenthood. Both parties will be co-hosting a booth at "Sexuality Day," distributing specific resources and information on LGBTQ sexual health. PPMM staff will present a program and do outreach at the "Queer Prom". Planned Parenthood collaborates with a Rainbow Place (LGBTQ community center) and marches every year in the Gay Pride Parade. Outreach is done at local "LGBTQ clubs" in the Reno area where candy, condoms and Planned Parenthood information is handed out.

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte has worked with the local clergy in the past and is currently exploring building relationships with religious leaders. Clergy are able to influence their religious communities and the public through their own personal beliefs. Forming an interfaith alliance provides Planned Parenthood Mar Monte with advocates for reproductive freedom and offers the chance for different religious opinions to be offered to the public for consideration.

As a member of Great Basin Primary Care Association we have joined together to improve the health status of Nevada’s medically underserved populations by providing accessible, quality, affordable health care and advocating on behalf of community-based health centers and safety-net providers. http://www.gbpca.org/

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte is a member of the Human Services Network, a group of organizations, corporations, and individuals working to support and sustain the collective action necessary to assure the provision of quality human services in the Truckee Meadows. http://www.humanservicesnetwork.org/

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte belongs to the Nevada Health Care Reform Project working to assure public and private health insurance programs will cover all Nevadans and that coverage will be comprehensive and affordable.

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte is a member of Nevada Women’s Lobby, a statewide coalition of organizations, women, and men supporting issues affecting women and families and dedicated to equity, non-violence, and reproductive choice. http://www.nevadawomenslobby.org/

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte belongs to the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, a statewide coalition of people and organizations dedicated to serving the people of Nevada by creating more progressive policies. http://www.planevada.org/

As a member of Truckee Meadows Tomorrow, a community-based organization, we work to continually improve the quality of life in the Truckee Meadows through collaboration and partnership. http://www.quality-of-life.org/