CDC Priority: Reducing Teen Pregnancy and Promoting Health Equity Among Youth

 Although teen pregnancy percentages are decreasing over time, they are decreasing at a very slow rate. This issue is still on the rise, and effects our youth directly and long term in varies aspects (socially, economically, physically and emotionally). The CDC has collected data (see chart on right hand side) showing the extremely high rates of teen pregnancies related to certain ethnicity and any socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.The CDC is putting main focusing on these specific populations as priority. Mostly, Blacks and Hispanics because of theses are the groups who are in greater need for greater public health efforts (especially for youth), as well as to have the greatest impact on overall U.S. teen birth rates.

'Teen pregnancy prevention is one of CDC’s top six priorities, a “winnable battle” in public health and of paramount importance to health and quality of life for our youth.'

How is the CDC contributing towards their goals?

Adolescent Health Research http://www.cdc.gov/TeenPregnancy/Research.htm &

(See Post below...) Teen Pregnancy Prevention 2010-2015





The Candies Foundation - "Pause Before You Play"

The Candies Foundation http://candiesfoundation.org/ was a great inspiration for me to create this blog. The primary focus of the Candies Foundation is to use high profile media and celebrities to educate the youth about consequences of teen pregnancy and parenthood, and campaign health choices about sex. 

The Candies Foundation has used media, one the best avenues to reach millions of teens, to deliver inspirational messages. Within these varies outlets of media, different companies have joined The Candies Foundation in this effort.

Including:

• Print: Seventeen, Vibe, The Source, Blender, Teen Vogue, J14, Elle, InStyle, and Cosmopolitan
• Broadcast: ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC, and MTV
• Online: AOL, MTV, The-N, MyYearbook.com, Seventeen.com, Black Planet.com, and perezhilton.com

Celebrities such as Bristol Palin and Ciara have partnered with this organization through varies advertisements. Specifically, Bristol Palin was last years ambassador for the campaign. She is able to relate to many young girls who are pregnant or already within parenthood. Palin told her story and raise awareness of teen pregnancy prevention.

"Teen girls who have been exposed to the foundation and its messages are more likely to view teen pregnancy and parenthood as stressful and negative, and they are more likely to be skeptical of the media’s portrayal of teen pregnancy and parenting. They also think teens should wait longer to have sex than girls who are not aware of the foundation and its messages."

The Situation

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy

http://thenationalcampaign.org/

The National Campaign has brought great initiatives to improve the well-being of our society, specifically Teens with "The National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy". For the past 9 years there has been a designated day in the month of may (May 5, 2010) and throughout the month of May communities are encouraged to take action and become educated. Inspired by http://www.stayteen.org/ online activities, games, and quizzes. This year, more than 550,000 people participated in these online activities and more than 200 national organizations partnered with The National Campaign to promote this initiative.

NOW... Test your knowledge & Take the Quiz!

http://www.stayteen.org/quizzes/sex-myths-quiz

FYI

Facts:

• The United States ranks the highest in teen pregnancy
• There are 750,000 teen girls pregnant annually
• 80% of  pregnancies are unintended, more than half of these are unmarried teens
• Taxpayers are spending billions of dollars towards health care and foster care for teen parents and their children
• Teen mothers are at more risk of developing complications/medical conditions during pregnancy
• Teenage mothers are more likely to drop out of high school and lower school achievement
• Teenage mothers are more likely to become single parents

Risk for the Mother

• High risk of developing
• anemia
• depression
• high blood pressure
• placenta eruption
• maternal renal failure
• social isolation

Risks for the Baby

• High risk of
• premature
• death rate
• chronic illness
• hospitalization
• learning disabilities
• substance abuse from mother
• birth defects
• neurological disorders

Tips:

• Plan
• Research all options
• Seek assistance
• Get proper prenatal care
• Take childbirth and parenting classes
• Accept help from family and friends to ease any struggle

inspired and referenced by 'LIVESTRONG'

http://www.livestrong.com/

Pregnancy Pact ???

Teen Pregnancy Prevention 2010-2015

The CDC has prepared new preventatives on integrating services, programs and strategies through community wide initiatives. The CDC will be performing these initiatives in partnership with other associates to raise future prevention awareness as well as funding medically innovative evidence-based programs to reduce teen pregnancy and births. Their primary focus is the African-American and Hispanic community, ages 15-19. View this link to learn more http://www.cdc.gov/TeenPregnancy/PreventTeenPreg.htm