TEENAGE PREGNANCY A PLAN FOR CHANGE

TEEN PREGNANCY TODAY 16 million teenage girls give birth each year –More then 40,000 today –273,105 in the US in 2013 –183 repeat teen births in the US today Rates in the US highest among developed nations –Higher in low to middle income areas

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? Decreased high school and college completion Unable to provide Daughters of teens continue the cycle Health of teens and their babies –Only 57% result in live births

HEALTH RISKS Poor Prenatal Care and Nutrition Teen mom –Anemia, –Lung disease, –Hypertension, –Renal disease, –Preeclampsia –Premature birth –Postpartum depression Teen’s child –Neural tube defects –Respiratory problems –Digestive problems –Cognitive problems –Behavioral problems –Emotional Impairment

WHAT CAN WE DO? That depends on you. Much has already been accomplished Improvements have been made Cases have been studied Rates have improved

THE NEXT STEP Put Our Knowledge To Work –At home –In Schools –Throughout the community –In clinical/hospital settings “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.” ~Kofi Annan

AT HOME Parents should be provided with educational materials –When married –At childbirth –Upon school enrollment Parents need to know –Sexual health –How their actions affect the child –What child is doing with peers –Warning signs

SCHOOLS Teachers –Educate on all matters –Engage and encourage positive behaviors –Pick up where some parents may not be able Counselors/Nurses –Look for at risk youth –Provide extra attention when needed

THE COMMUNITY Provide easy access to information and help –Discreet counseling on sensitive matters –Make their presence known Youth groups Health fairs Seminars Use all resources –TV – Radio – Internet – Posters – T-shirts…

WHAT DO WE TEACH? Youth development programs –Start in early childhood –Connectedness –Better social and educational outcomes Healthy relationship training –Self-esteem –Friend vs romance –Marriage and family

WHAT DO WE TEACH? Sexual health –Anatomy and physiology –Abstinence –Contraception –Difficult but necessary Make it real –Baby simulation –responsibilities

BARRIERS TO OVERCOME Religious views Cultural values Fear of punishment Limited access to care The Solution – More outreach

THE PLAN Centralized group Non-profit Healthy Teens Mission to improve through education Start with making material available Then build/support programs Continue as long as needed Use Nurses