Douglas Kirby

Douglas Bernard Kirby (October 9, 1943 − December 22, 2012) was senior research scientist for ETR Associates in Scotts Valley, California, and one of the world’s leading experts on the effectiveness of school and community programs in the reduction of adolescent sexual risk-taking behaviors.

[1] Kirby authored over 100 articles, chapters and monographs on these programs including the widely acclaimed Emerging Answers 2007: Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases which he produced for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

It paints a detailed picture of the protective factors associated with adolescent risk taking behavior and identifies important characteristics of effective sexuality and HIV education programs.

[5] From 1983 to 1988 he worked with The Center for Population Options (now Advocates for Youth) and did a national study on the impact of school health programs on teen sexual behavior.

[6] In 1988, Kirby went to work for ETR Associates in Scotts Valley, California, where he served as senior research scientist and director of many projects on adolescent health and risk taking behavior.