Saint Michael's Medical Center to Host Teen Pregnancy Prevention Events

NEWARK, N. J. –– Saint Michael’s Medical Center is joining organizations nationwide in raising awareness about teen pregnancy prevention in May. The hospital, located at 111 Central Avenue in Newark, will present free lunchtime sessions in its Annex Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room #1 (near the cafeteria) on Tuesday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 26 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The events, which are open to the public, will focus on ways that parents can help their teenagers avoid pregnancy. Participants will have the opportunity to view informative videos, receive educational materials, and meet with staff of the hospital’s Project YES You Can! for questions and discussion. Attendees will receive a free raffle ticket to win a Family Movie Night gift basket.

Since the early 1990s, the teen pregnancy rate has declined 38 percent. However, according to data released in March 2009 by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the U.S. teen birth rate increased for the second year in a row since 2005.

“Teens and their families need to put a renewed focus on the importance of preventing teen pregnancy,” said Bernadette Vissani, director of Project YES You Can! “We’re here to help teens make positive decisions and engage in healthy behaviors that will help them to lead happier, more productive lives.”

For more information about this initiative, contact the Project YES You Can! staff, at (973) 268-1477 or via e-mail at yesyoucan@smmcnj.org.

Established by the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor in 1867, Saint Michael’s Medical Center is a 357-bed regional tertiary-care, teaching and research center in the heart of Newark’s business and educational district. The Saint James Campus in Newark’s East Ward and the Columbus Campus in the North Ward deliver key non-acute services, including 24-hour emergency care. They serve as a “front door” to the inpatient, outpatient, and clinic services available at Saint Michael’s Medical Center. Saint Michael’s Medical Center is a member of Catholic Health East (CHE). Based in Newtown Square, PA, Catholic Health East is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems, with 33 hospitals in 11 states. More information is available at www.che.org and www.smmcnj.org.