Texas Now #4

New state-level data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that Texas experienced a 14% 1-year drop in our teen birth rate in 2010, to reach 52.2 per thousand females age 15 to 19.  Texas is now the state with the 4^th highest teen birth rate. 

U.S. teen birth rates reached a historic low in 2010, with drops seen in nearly every state.  Mississippi had the highest rate (55 per thousand), followed by New Mexico and Arkansas.  New Hampshire had the lowest rate at 15.7 per thousand. 

In 2009, Texas was ranked #3 in teen birth rates.  In 2010, rates fell less for Arkansas (the new #3) than for Texas. 

However, Texas is still #1 in the number of births to teens: a total 47,751 in 2010.

Overall, the U.S. experienced a 12 percent drop in one year in the rate of birth to teens.  Fewer babies were born to U.S. teenagers in 2010 than in any year since the mid-1940's. 

While the CDC 2010 birth data is still considered preliminary, this report is great news.  This progress reflects teens' healthier decisions and more cautious behavior.  These decreases likely are the result of both more abstinence (i.e., fewer teens having sex) and more contraception (among those who have sex). 

Still, teen pregnancy and birth rates remain far too high.  In spite of recent declines, U.S. rates remain far higher than other comparable countries.  

We still have lots of work to do.  Teen pregnancy is 100% preventable. We must assure that every teen has what they need to succeed -- and to postpone pregnancy until they are adults ready for the challenges of parenthood.

Sex Education Helps to Delay First Sex

A study released last month finds that formal sex education is associated with a later age at first sex among both males and females.  This was found true for instruction focused solely on abstinence, as well as for instruction on both abstinence and birth control.   

There was no significant difference in the timing of first sex between those receiving only abstinence and those receiving instruction about both abstinence and contraception.  However, among those receiving no sex education, first sex occurred at an earlier age.

Individuals who had instruction about both abstinence and contraception had both a delayed sexual "debut" and also other protective behaviors.  Instruction that included both abstinence and contraception was linked to using birth control and condoms at first sex, but abstinence-only instruction was not.  In addition, individuals receiving instruction on both abstinence and contraception were less likely to have a partner much older or younger than them.

The authors from the Guttmacher Institute used data from the 2006-2008 National Survey of Family Growth, which interviewed nearly 4,700 individuals aged 15-24. 

As the authors point out, talking with adolescents about sex before they first have sex seems to be important in affecting their behavior.   Commentators also point out that the more comprehensive education was associated with a larger range of protective behaviors. 

       

Texas Kids Count:  Reasons for Concern

Texas has the highest birth rate in the nation, accounting for half the U.S. child population growth between 2000 and 2010.  More than 25% of Texas children live in poverty, and 16.9% of Texas kids are uninsured.

On April 5, the Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP) released its 2012 State of Texas Children Data Book: Choices: The Texas We Create.  This publication explores how Texas children have fared during the last decade, and the results are striking and often uncomfortable. 

Thirty-nine percent of babies were born to mothers with late or no prenatal care.  Although births to teens (as a percentage of all births) have declined, the percentage of those born to single teen moms increase to 83%. More than 1 in 5 (22%) births to teens were repeat teen births.

The publication decries the 66% funding cut ($73 million cut) to the Department of State Health Services Family Planning Program.  These cuts eliminated basic preventive care and birth control for at least 150,000 women.  The loss of federal funding for the Women's Health Program (WHP) threatens access for another 130,000 women.    

The Kids Count Data Center provides a wealth of data by county, and also allows comparisons across states.

In 2010, Bexar County saw an increase of the percentage of children living in poverty (24.6%) and a 70% increase in the percentage of children enrolled in Medicaid (33.4% in 2010).  The percent of births to Bexar County women receiving late or no prenatal care actually dropped between 2005 and 2008 to 26.4%.  And the percent of all births that were to teens (ages 13-19) fell to 14.1% in 2008.  Public school enrollment increased a huge 23%, and attrition in Bexar County public high schools fell from 42% to 35%, between 2001 and 2011.  Unfortunately, the rate of confirmed child abuse increased 50%, to 13.5 per 1000, in 2011.

Published yearly by CPPP, Texas Kids Count lays out the needs and challenges we face -- as well as the progress we have made -- as we strive to make Texas a better place for kids.  

Help Us Respond: HFA Meeting April 19

The crisis in Texas women's healthcare is unfolding in San Antonio and around the state.  Severe cuts to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Family Planning program have already hit, reducing the number of low-income women receiving preventive care and birth control (not abortion) from over 200,000 to 60,000.  Now, Texas has turned down about $35 million in federal funds for the other safety-net preventive care program, the Women's Health Program (WHP), in order to exclude Planned Parenthood from the program.  Since Planned Parenthood clinics served nearly half of the 100,000 women in the program, Texas is scrambling to recruit providers to see WHP clients.  It is critical that Texas hear from both pro-life and pro-choice citizens about how vital it is to expand access to these preventive services. 

At the same time, school districts in Bexar County and all over Texas are moving to offer evidence-based sex education programs. These are the programs shown to actually help more youth wait longer before becoming sexually active.  It is important that school districts making this great progress receive support from parents and others in the community.

PLEASE JOIN US as we work to address the crisis in women's healthcare access and to support positive change in our schools:

Healthy Futures Alliance Meeting

Thursday, April 19

11:30 to 1:30 PM

Barbara Jordan Community Center

2803 E. Commerce St.

San Antonio, TX 78203

A light lunch will be provided

HFA is a diverse community coalition to reduce teen and unplanned pregnancy in San Antonio.  Some HFA members classify themselves as pro-life, and others as pro-choice, but ALL of us are working together on prevention. We want every young person to be able to reach their goals and dreams-and to become parents when they want to.

Members and friends of HFA are welcome! Please REGISTER online, or for more information, contact us at info@HealthyFuturesTX.org, or at 210-223-4589. Hope to see you there! 

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