In This Issue:

National Day 2014

Unplanned Pregnancy Increasing

For most sexually active men and women, preventing unplanned pregnancy is a priority, and the rate of unplanned pregnancy is a key indicator of a population's reproductive health. Unfortunately, both the rate of unplanned pregnancy and the percentage of pregnancies that are unplanned are increasing, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health.

From 2001 to 2008, the rate of unintended pregnancy experienced by American women increased 10 percent (to 54 per 1000 women aged 15-44. Of 6.6 million pregnancies in 2008, 51% were unintended - an increase from 2001 (49%). Additionally, the rate of intended pregnancy rate fell slightly.

A large disparity was found according to income level. The pregnancy rate for poor women was more than 3 times that of women in the highest income category, and the unintended pregnancy rate was more than 5 times that of affluent women.

Unintended pregnancy is a stubborn problem with multifaceted causes. Improving these rates will require addressing fundamental socioeconomic inequities; increasing contraceptive use; increasing education about abstinence, sexuality, and contraception; and increasing uptake of highly effective methods of contraception.

(Not So) Great Expectations

What messages do teen boys and girls receive about sex and other behaviors? According to a recent survey of 13- to 17-year olds from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, it seems that we don't set great expectations for youth.

When asked, 71% of young people agreed that teen girls receive the message that attracting boys and looking sexy is one of the most important things they can do. Furthermore, when young people were asked what messages boys receive about sex, 68% said that boys get the message that they are expected to have sex.

Healthy Futures of Texas is working to improve the messages that we as a community give to young people. Our parent programs help parents to guide their teens and give them a healthy framework for making sexual decisions. Our youth programs include building refusal skills, setting their own boundaries, and respecting the boundaries of others. Additionally, the ME NOW...baby later campaign gives both males and females the message that waiting to be a parent makes sense.

National Day 2014 is Coming Up!

The National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy is May 7, 2014! On this day and throughout the month of May, teens will be encouraged to visit Stayteen.org and take the National Day Quiz.

The significance of a national day, and the quiz itself, is to encourage teens to think about what they'd do "in the moment." According to reports from teens who've taken the quiz in the past, 66% believe it "made the risks of sex and teen pregnancy seem more real" and 70% believed the scenarios were things they'd actually experienced.

Despite the significant decline in teen pregnancy over the last 20 years, this is still a significant issue. Disadvantaged teens are affected at much higher rates than are affluent populations. The National Day is about making a difference by helping teens think about the serious responsibilities of sex, relationships, and their consequences.

For more information on the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, please visit The National Day Website. For updates on this year's National Day, sign up for the National Day Notification Network.

Healthy Futures of Texas is committed to reducing teen and unplanned pregnancy in San Antonio

and Texas by providing and promoting science-based and culturally appropriate approaches.

We are working toward a community where every young person is able to reach their potential, and

every child is wanted, loved, and cared for.

2300 W. Commerce, Ste. 204

San Antonio, Texas, 78207

210.223.4589

info@hf-tx.org

HF-TX.org