In This Issue:

Growing Gap Between First Sex, First Birth

Quality Family Planning Services: A CDC Priority

Growing Gap Between First Sex, First Birth

Today's average American woman gets married and has her first baby much later in life than did her 1945 counterpart. The age at which women first have sex, however, has changed little. This means that most women have a much longer time when they are sexually active and want to avoid pregnancy. The gap between first sex and first birth is growing and is now about 10 years, compared to about 4 years for women born in 1945.

A new publication from Guttmacher Institute shows how this growing gap between first sex and first birth means that women are at risk for unintended pregnancy for a longer period of time than in the past.

The need for effective use, education, and access to contraception is greater than ever now that a larger proportion of a woman's reproductive years is spent needing to prevent pregnancy, often until her education is complete and her career is under way. The highly effective long-acting reversible contraceptives ("LARCs"), i.e. the implant and IUDs, are thus particularly important in today's world.

The study did find an important bit of promising news: the time gap between first sex and the first use of contraception has gotten smaller over time, as birth control use at first sex has increased.

Quality Family Planning Services: a CDC Priority

For the first time, the CDC has published guidelines for Providing Quality Family Planning Services, offers guidance to both family planning providers and primary care providers, so that all can provide high quality family planning care. With the inclusion of contraception as part of women's preventive healthcare services that are covered with no out-of-pocket costs under the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or "Obamacare"), it is important that practitioners have recommendations to help them provide high-quality preventive care.

The CDC has long issued STD Treatment Guidelines (also see their STD page), but guidelines for family planning are a new effort, developed collaboratively with the Office of Population Affairs.

This publication adds to the CDC's previous publications, including U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (US MEC) in 2010 and the companion document U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use (US SPR) in 2013. The US MEC adapted for the U.S. the World Health Organization recommendations about who can safely use which methods of family planning. The US SPR addresses a group of common issues of starting and using various birth control methods, giving providers the benefit of evidence and expert opinion.

These publications reflect the CDC's increasing focus on changing our country's longstanding high rate of unplanned pregnancy, approximately 50%. Unplanned pregnancies are those that women themselves describe as unplanned, and they carry increased risks for both the mother (late prenatal care, depression, violence) and the baby (prematurity, low birth weight, poor physical and mental health). In addition, unplanned pregnancies are the underlying reason for nearly all abortions. Family planning helps women and men achieve their desired number and spacing of children - and avoid unplanned pregnancy.

Unplanned pregnancy disproportionately affects less affluent and minority women. With increasing attention by the CDC, along with reduced financial barriers, it is a hopeful time for addressing this important public health issue.

[Figure: Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion]

Interning at Healthy Futures

By: Elizabeth Muñoz

Healthy Futures of Texas (HFTX) is a wonderful organization dedicated to the prevention of teen and unplanned pregnancy. As a senior at Texas State majoring in Health and Wellness Promotion and hoping to work in Health Education, I chose this site as my internship to help work on these issues. Teen and unplanned pregnancies have a high prevalence in San Antonio; it is essential to reach out to the community in any way possible. HFTX promotes the importance of lowering this prevalence by participating in health fairs in the community and facilitating programs for teens and parents. Participating in this internship was an incredible experience, I learned a great deal from the health educators, as well as from the teens.

Learning how to facilitate in a classroom setting was definitely my favorite part of my journey as an intern. Leading a classroom, educating the students about healthy decision-making, and encouraging them to focus on their dreams was a rewarding experience. It feels satisfying to know that you are having an impact in the lives of all your students.

I will continue to volunteer with HFTX because I believe in the incredible mission and advocacy of this organization. HFTX will continue to succeed and thrive in the prevention of teen and unplanned pregnancy. I have always had a goal to one day change the world, and with the help of HFTX, that is happening; one teen at a time.

Save the Date: HFA meets May 15

The Healthy Futures Alliance (HFA) will meet on Thursday, May 15, 11:30 am to 1:15 pm in the Community Room of the Mexican American Unity Council (MAUC). A light lunch will be provided.

Topics will include:

The effect of HB 5 on the ability of school districts to offer Health courses in high school; and
Enhancing community collaboration to help ensure teen access to health care.

HFA is a community coalition of nearly 400 individuals and organizations dedicated to reducing teen and unplanned pregnancy in San Antonio and beyond. As we work to reach the SA2020 target of reducing teen births by 25%, we are using the San Antonio Teen Pregnancy Prevention Collaborative's Strategic Plan to guide our efforts. We are preparing for the 2015 Texas Legislative Session, and we would LOVE to have new members who support our Principles.

Please JOIN US! RSVP at info@HF-TX.org.

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