A survey reveals that for many young adult women, an unplanned pregnancy could alter the course of their future plan. And statistics show that there were more than 3 million unintended pregnancies in the United States alone, with the highest incidence occurring with women 20-24 years old in 2006.
“Pregnancy planning and contraception are important considerations for young women as they consider their future,” said Sarah Brown, CEO of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. “So important, in fact, that the CDC recognizes family planning as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.”[ Also Read: How to Use Condoms with Condom Sense ]
Meanwhile, a public education campaign aimed at reducing unintended pregnancy among young adults was launched. The campaign, Beforeplay, is targeted to the 18- to 29-year-old age group and seeks to initiate more conversation about sexual health and family planning through an interactive website, social media, events and statewide advertising. (Read: Beforeplay to Reduce Unintended Pregnancy)
Now, healthcare company Merck has partnered with sitcom scene-stealer turned Broadway superstar Raven-Symone to launch Plan It Forward, a campaign that empowers young adult women to map out their future plans and gives them some resources to help them get started.
The campaign, debuted Thursday, April 26, on HerCampus.com, also encourages young adult women to consider how an unplanned pregnancy could impact their journey, and how family planning fits into their roadmap.[ Also Read: Women Urged to Ditch Those Period Pads ]
To better understand how young adult women approach their plans, Merck commissioned a survey, conducted by GfK amongst 700 women ages 18-25. That survey revealed that one in three (32%) out of the 393 women who want to put a plan in place don’t know where to start when it comes to putting a plan in place for their future.
The survey was conducted online within the United States by GfK on behalf of Merck from September 22 – October 6, 2011 among 700 women aged 18-25.
“Plan It Forward is all about helping women plan and to consider how things like family planning, internships, and volunteering fit into their roadmap,” said Raven-Symone.