Who is Project Connect?

Project Connect is an 8-year multi-level intervention research study working with Los Angeles Unified middle and high schools to help reduce rates of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents by working with the adults in their lives. Project Connect implements programs with parents, health care providers or other medical institutions, schools, and the community. These programs are designed to:

improve communication between adolescents and adults
facilitate increased access to and use of health care services
increase appropriate supervision of adolescents outside of school hours

Why Project Connect?

Project Connect was developed because sexually active adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 are at extremely high risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STD), including HIV, and teen pregnancy. Females 15 to 19 years of age have the highest rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea of any age group. Increases in AIDS among heterosexual adult women suggest increasing rates of HIV infection during adolescence. Although teen pregnancy has decreased in recent years, rates remain higher than desirable. African-American and Latina youth are affected more by these outcomes. Risk for these outcomes is likely due to both sexual behaviors and health care behaviors.

Collaborative Partners

Project Connect is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Health Research Association, the University of California at Los Angeles, and the RAND Corporation on this study to improve adolescent health in middle and high schools in the Los Angeles area.

For more information, contact Project Connect toll free at 1-877-438-7248.