ABC is a health education program that teaches students about the benefits of making healthy choices now for a healthy future.

WHO: The ABC program is targeted for students in upper elementary through high school, using a variety of age-appropriate, interactive teaching strategies. Parents take part in follow-up classroom activities and workshops with their children to facilitate family communication.

WHAT: The ABC program is a partnership between the St. Louis County Department of Health, the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society and participating school districts. ABC gives young people the motivation, information, and skills needed to achieve a bright future through healthy decision-making.

WHEN: In elementary school, a nurse/health educator/counselor worker team presents a self esteem and family life unit that includes parent/child discussion guides to promote family communication. Children have the opportunity to have their questions answered in an honest, straightforward and non-threatening manner. Parents and their children may take part in evening workshops to help facilitate family communication.

In middle school, health teachers and trained high school teen leaders deliver the ABC series which promotes abstinence as the healthiest choice. Teen leaders use interactive exercises to raise awareness of choices and their consequences. Students learn and practice decision-making skills to help resist sexual pressure. Both middle school and high school students take part in a slogan contest promoting abstinence. Winning slogans are made into posters and displayed throughout the school.

In high school, teachers deliver the ABC Program as part of the health education curriculum. The high school program includes more information about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as well as skill-building activities designed to help students understand the impact that a pregnancy or STD would have on their health and future.

WHERE: The ABC program is implemented in school districts that have made a commitment to reduce the incidence of teen pregnancy.

WHY: Teen pregnancy and STD/HIV infections have resulted in staggering financial, social, educational, and human potential losses. Communities need a coordinated approach to educate and motivate young people to make healthy choices for a brighter future.

Supported in part by the Abstinence Education Grant Program from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau Contract #90AE0135.