The condom has long been the most recognizable symbol of contraception, while daily birth control regimens have become so ubiquitous that they鈥檝e co-opted the term 鈥渢he pill.鈥� But studies have shown that Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) are actually the most effective method of preventing teen pregnancy.

In the hopes of increasing awareness of these devices, physicians, nurses, and coordinators at the at UR Medicine鈥檚 have launched a campaign to educate providers on the advantages of LARCs.

The program, called the , is supported by a $258,000 Opportunity Grant from the .

鈥淟ARCs are better than pills, patches, and other contraceptives because they remain in place all the time,鈥� said , an adolescent medicine specialist at Golisano Children鈥檚 Hospital. 鈥淭oday鈥檚 LARCs are safe, effective, invisible, and can be easily removed with no lingering effects when you decide to become pregnant.鈥�

LARCs, which include intrauterine devices (commonly referred to as IUDs) and hormone-release implants that are placed in the upper arm, can guard against pregnancy for 3 to 12 years. The devices recently became the official recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics for teens seeking birth control.

With Rochester鈥檚 teen pregnancy rate among the highest in the country, the LARC Initiative is hoping to increase both supply and demand locally for the devices. To increase supply, initiative coordinators will meet with doctors to ensure that they know where to refer patients who are interested in LARCs. And to increase demand, they will meet with groups that regularly interact with teenagers 鈥� such as school nurses and youth workers 鈥� to make sure that teens are well-informed about LARCs.

For community health leaders in Rochester and elsewhere, part of the process is also about dispelling some persistent misinformation about LARCs.

鈥淭here鈥檚 been a lot of research about how these devices are safe for teens,鈥� said , executive director of the Hoekelman Center. 鈥淏ut some myths from several decades ago persist, and even some doctors don鈥檛 have all the updated information.鈥澛�

Coordinators from the children鈥檚 hospital are collaborating with an extensive network of local agencies, including the , , and , on the LARC Initiative.

鈥淭his program is a widespread collaboration among health care agencies in Rochester to provide the most up-to-date and current information on LARCs to help curb teen pregnancy, which is a significant health issue in our community,鈥� said John Urban, president and CEO of Greater Rochester Health Foundation. 鈥淕reater Rochester Health Foundation is proud to support this important initiative in the greater Rochester area.鈥�

The focus of the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, which is funding the initiative, is to improve the health status of all residents of the greater Rochester community including people whose health care needs have not been met because of race, ethnicity, or income.