Using Effect Sizes to Inform Policy and Practice: Evidence from the HHS Teen Pregnancy Prevention Evidence Review

In fall 2009, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a systematic review of the research literature on programs to prevent teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and associated sexual risk behaviors. Findings have been used in part to identify programs with evidence of effectiveness in reducing these outcomes. To help inform researchers, policymakers, and practitioners about the size of the effects produced by these programs, this research brief summarizes an ongoing effort to collect and report program effect size information from the reviewed studies. Findings indicate substantial variation in effect sizes across programs, but also a clear need for improved standards and reporting of effect size information in teen pregnancy prevention research.