§ Mr. Ronnie CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has for research into contraception and contraceptive methods. [24027]
§ Ms JowellAs part of the Government's developing national programme to reduce the rate of unintended and unwanted conceptions, a task group has been established to consider the research necessary to underpin effective programmes to reduce the rate of unintended and unwanted conceptions, particularly among teenagers.
74WWe collect regular survey information through the General Household Survey and Omnibus Survey. Both surveys include questions on contraception and contraception methods and are commissioned through the Office for National Statistics.
The National Health Service Research and Development Programme is supporting a number of projects evaluating strategies to change health behaviours in children and adolescents, for example in smoking, drugs and unwanted pregnancies, including contraception. Another project is investigating the efficacy, cost-effectiveness and long-term tolerability of implantable contraceptives.