By Tove Tupper
 
March 16, 2009
 
MEDFORD, Ore. -- A state plan designed to educate teenagers on sex is complete.
 
This is the Oregon's third Youth Sexual Health Plan. The biggest difference in the new plan is that it shifts focus to comprehensive sexual health, not just teen pregnancy prevention.
 
The Department of Human Services teamed up with teens, various non-profit groups, and state and county agencies to create the new plan. It's currently being presented to communities for use as a framework to create their own community based health plan.
 
The issue is especially pertinent in Jackson County, which has seen its teen pregnancy rate increase over the past two years.
 
The plan encourages communities to increase access to health care and birth control for youth, which may include more school based health centers. Crater and Ashland high schools already have campus health centers. Those centers prescribe birth control to teens. The plan also includes an earlier start for sex education.
 
Jackson County Public Health says by providing more accurate information about sex health, it allows teens to make more informed decisions about their own health.