May is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
The high incidence of teenage pregnancy occurring during the month of May has led to its designation as National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month. Research has shown that proms, graduations and end-of-school-year activities are linked to especially high-risk times for unplanned pregnancy. No matter what time of year, the United States has, by far, the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births in the developed world with nearly one million teen pregnancies each year. This is twice the rate of England and nearly three times the rate of many other European countries. Despite steady declines in these rates during the 1990s, four out of every 10 girls in the U.S. still gets pregnant at least once before age 20.
In Pennsylvania alone, 21,091 teens aged 13 to 19 became pregnant in 2000 or one out of every 28 girls. Also in 2000, 14,146 babies were born to teen parents living in Pennsylvania.
In Fayette County, 241 girls became pregnant and 204 babies were born to teen mothers. Fayette County rates rank slightly worse than the state rate, with one of every 27 local girls becoming pregnant in 2000.
Comprehensive sexuality education and access to contraception are considered major factors in reducing teen pregnancy rates as reported by the Centers for Disease Control.
A number of national studies also show that teens view parents and teachers as the most reliable sources of sexuality education. An overwhelming majority of adults and teens also believe that all teens should have information about and access to contraception.
Research has also shown that knowledge of contraception does not increase the likelihood that teens will be sexually active, but they are more likely to use protection when they do have sex. This is why Family Health Council provides a wide range of health care and educational resources to local youth, parents and educators.
“We developed ‘Family Connections’ guidebooks to help parents talk to their children about sexuality. Family Connections are easy to use and give parents accurate information on the different stages of their child’s life,” said Dr. Linda Snyder, director of Family Health Council’s Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (CAPP).
“Family Connections” are available free of charge by calling Family Health Council toll-free at 1-800-215-7494. Another free publication, “Teen Connections” customized for Fayette County, provides teen with local resources on health, sexuality and many other topics.
Call toll-free 1-800-215-7494 to order this publication.
Family Health Council’s health care professionals are available to speak to students, teachers and community groups on issues relating to health and sexuality. Peer educators are another resource for teaching teens the skills and information they need to make health choices. Peer educators present workshops in schools and the community on issues such as preventing pregnancy, STDs, drugs and alcohol and dating violence.
Family Health Council’s Uniontown office provides birth control, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, STD testing and treatment, annual exams, prenatal care, breast and cervical cancer screening, nutrition counseling and adoption. All services are free to teens under 18. For others, fees are based on income and family size and most insurance plans are accepted.
“It is our goal to provide teens with access to important resources regarding their reproductive health as well as the education and tools needed to help them avoid unplanned pregnancy and STDs,” said Lugene Rossini, manager of Family Health Council’s Uniontown office.
For more information on any of Family Health Council’s programs and services, call the Uniontown office at 724-437-1582 or 1-800-215-7494 or visit us on the Web at www.fhcinc.org.