Many studies of consumer debtors have identified risk factors associated with chronic consumer debt. Chronic consumer debtors exist in an environment of ongoing efforts to survive financially and meet their debt commitments. Despite otherwise favourable economic conditions for the community at large such as low interest rates and low levels of unemployment, the chronic consumer debtor remains continuously at peril of overcommitment. An analysis of financial counselling interviews in New South Wales (the largest state in Australia) has been used to identify the group that the authors believe to be most at risk of chronic consumer debt in Australia. Other independent studies are provided to support the choice of the identified group. The situation for chronic consumer debtors is contrasted to the situation for acute cases. While financial literacy and support programmes can be provided to the community, the ability to target programmes towards a specifically identifiable group concentrates activities on measures aimed to alleviate the distress caused by ongoing financial hardship for one particular consumer group. The challenge of reducing chronic consumer debt has the potential to raise awareness and understanding of risk factors for consumer debtors generally. Thus, concentrated efforts towards alleviating chronic consumer debt may lead to a reduction in consumer financial overcommitment.

Fertility awareness is experiential learning about cyclic fertility. This awareness, used as a family planning method, differs from contraception because it does not isolate the procreative capacity out of either partner. The acceptability and effect of teaching fertility awareness on teen sexual activity and decision making was tested in a multisite pilot program which taught fertility awareness via the prospective marker of the cervical mucus (ovulation method of natural family planning). Two hundred U.S. and 35 Guatemalan volunteer women aged 15-17 years in a structured one year curriculum, monitored cycle charting and explored the implications of experiencing one's signs of fertility. Control subjects were recruited from general population and from family planning clinics.Nine percent of the U.S. study group were sexually active prior to entry. By cycle 12, half had discontinued activity. Conception rate was 0.0044. The continuation rate dropped from 90% at cycle 7 to 71% at cycle 8 due to scheduling constraints for 2 classes and to 57% at cycle 12. Post-program followup of the early leavers showed only one third the expected rate of onset of sexual activity and pregnancy.Parent involvement correlated positively with postponement and/or discontinuation of sexual activity. Reported movement away from peer group pressure appeared 3 months after entry.

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