In This Issue:

A Small Town's Teen Pregnancy Turnaround

A Small Town's Teen Pregnancy Turnaround

Thirty years ago, Denmark, South Carolina had one of the state's highest teen pregnancy rates. But now, through education and advocacy, this small town now has one of the lowest teen pregnancy rates in the state. According to a recent article from National Public Radio, efforts such as those in Denmark have shown to pay off around the country. Since the 1990s, teen birth rates have decreased by over 50 percent in the United States, according to a policy brief from The Brookings Institution.

How can the successes in Denmark help the rest of the country to take action? Michelle Nimmons, who has worked in teen pregnancy prevention for over 30 years, says that the biggest challenge to reducing teen pregnancy is convincing communities that there is a problem.

An important component of Denmark's success is promoting abstinence. But helping both young men and young women learn about "safer sex", contraception, and condoms is important, too.

Healthy Futures of Texas works to both promote and provide strategies that work, so that San Antonio and all of Texas can see improvements like those of Denmark. Our vision is that every youth will be able to fulfill their potential, and that every child will be born to parents truly ready to care for them.

Getting Birth Control Facts Straight

Being able to plan and space pregnancies through the use of birth control has a multitude of benefits. According to a new brief from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, the benefits of contraception include fewer unplanned pregnancies and fewer abortions; healthier babies; better educational attainment; stronger parental relationships; less chance of poverty; fewer health disparities for both parents and children; and savings for taxpayers.

More than 75% of U.S. 18 to 24-year olds are sexually active, and 7 in 10 pregnancies among unmarried 20-somethings are unplanned, as reported by women themselves. Most unmarried women in their 20s report that they do not want to get pregnant, but only half of those who are sexually active report using contraception consistently. It's no wonder that our country has higher rates of unplanned pregnancy than other comparable countries!

Difficulties related to contraceptive cost and access are significant for many women. In Texas alone, there are nearly 1.3 million women in need of publicly supported contraception.

Removing the cost barriers and lack-of-information barriers for women has been shown to have a big impact. In this situation, 3 in every 4 women chose the most effective methods, the long-acting reversible contraceptives, or "LARCs", when they were provided free. The women in this study had markedly lower rates of unplanned pregnancy and abortion.

Birth control has been in the news a great deal lately, with many myths and misconceptions about it in the spotlight. It is important that we get our birth control "facts straight", so that we can weigh the public health and cost-savings benefits, along with all the other considerations.

[Photo: The National Campaign]

Births at Ages 15-17

Nearly 1,700 U.S. teens age 15-17 give birth every week, according to a new report from the CDC.

CDC is helping communities to focus on preventing pregnancies among 15 to 17 year olds by putting together helpful information into its April Vital Signs publication. The page on youth-friendly reproductive health visits for teens helps to focus on the importance of access to teen-friendly care.

Becoming a teen mom - especially for younger teens aged 15 to 17 - affects whether the mother finishes high school, goes to college, and gets the kind of job that pays well. Giving birth during these school-age years has also been shown to increase medical risks and emotional, social, and financial costs to both the mother and her children.

There are effective ways to prevent pregnancy among younger teens. Only about 20% of teens had received sex education before first having sex, so educating younger teens about delaying sex and effective birth control may enhance prevention efforts.

Parents and doctors play a key role in helping teens make healthy decisions about sex and birth control. Parents can talk with their teens about how to say "no" to sex; using birth control and condoms if they choose to have sex; and having healthy relationships. In addition, health care providers can encourage teens to delay sexual activity; encourage the use of the most effective methods of contraception; talk about proper condom use; and discuss sexual development with teens.

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

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