[05 JUL 99] COVENTRY
HEALTH AUTHORITY PRESS RELEASE
Coventry Health Authority Drive To Cut Unwanted PregnanciesA campaign to raise awareness about emergency contraception is
being launched in Coventry today to tackle teenage pregnancies and abortions. Coventry
Health Authority have produced an Information Card which gives details about how to obtain
emergency contraception and will be involved in distributing these cards to young people.
Figures for Coventry from 1997 show that in the
16-19 age group, there were 635 conceptions of which 290 ended in abortion. The conception
rate for under 16s is 10.2 per 1,000 girls compared with a national average of 8.8.
Phil Deakin, Senior Health Promotion Specialist says:
"There are concerns about the levels of unintentional
pregnancies, especially among teenagers, and about the level of abortions. This is a means
of tackling these issues. The use of contraception for prevention of pregnancy is our
first aim, but when this has not been the case, emergency contraception plays an important
role."
The cards are the size of a credit card for keeping in a
purse or wallet. The cards will be distributed through youth, health and family planning
services and schools and colleges.
MORE INFORMATION:
Phil Deakin, Senior Health Promotion Specialist 01203 633066
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