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Editorial: A Troubling Uptick

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January 30, 2010, The New York Times

One of President Obama’s worthier first-year achievements was to redirect federal sex-education financing from an abstinence-only approach to broader, more-effective programs that provide information to young people about contraceptives, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

A new study from the Guttmacher Institute examining the latest federal data on teenage sex, births and abortion — along with the group’s own abortion statistics — suggests the wisdom of that shift.

Rise in teenage pregnancy rate spurs new debate on arresting it

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January 26, 2010, Washington Post

The pregnancy rate among teenage girls in the United States has jumped for the first time in more than a decade, raising alarm that the long campaign to reduce motherhood among adolescents is faltering, according to a report released Tuesday.

The pregnancy rate among 15-to-19-year-olds increased 3 percent between 2005 and 2006 -- the first jump since 1990, according to an analysis of the most recent data collected by the federal government and the nation's leading reproductive-health think tank.

Teen pregnancy has long been one of the most pressing social issues and has triggered intense political debate over sex education, particularly whether the federal government should fund programs that encourage abstinence until marriage or focus on birth control.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD PRESIDENT CECILE RICHARDS’ STATEMENT ON GUTTMACHER INSTITUTE REPORT ON TEENAGE PREGNANCY RATES

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“This new study makes it crystal clear that abstinence-only sex education for teenagers does not work, and it should serve as a wake-up call to anyone who still believes that teenagers aren’t sexually active or that abstinence-only programs curb the rate of teen pregnancy. Now more than ever, we must ensure that our teenagers receive medically accurate, age-appropriate sex education that gives them the tools to make responsible decisions about their health.

A rise in teenage pregnancy also raises concerns

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Manatee County officials reconsider abstinence-only approach to sex education

January 25, 2010, Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Almost 500 babies were born to Manatee County teenagers in 2008, one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Florida.

Staff at the school district's day care look after almost 90 babies while their teenage moms take classes. Another 43 students are pregnant.

Teachers report that some students no longer feel there is any stigma attached to pregnancy among students.

Teen Parents a More Diverse Group Than Most Believe

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Contrary to the perception of most Americans, the majority of teen parents are from households that are not in poverty and that are not headed by single parents.  These findings and others were released on October 28, 2009 by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

Pregnancy, STDs on the rise again among U.S. teens

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July 29. 2009, WFTX Fox 4 (Ft. Myers)

Birth rates among U.S. teens increased in 2006 and 2007, following large declines from 1991 to 2005, according to a new U.S. government study.

It found that previously improving trends in teens' and young adults' sexual and reproductive health have flattened or may be worsening in some cases.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers analyzed national data from 2002-2007. Among their findings:

Children’s advocates monitoring increase in teen-pregnancy rate

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July 22, 2009, Tallahassee Democrat

For years, the number of teens having babies in Florida had been dropping. But recent state statistics show the number is inching back up.

Local and state officials agree the increase is relatively small, right now. However, they agree vigilant awareness and specified programs, especially those geared toward girls, are essential in order to stop the trend from climbing.

What's new with Emergency Contraception?

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Emergency contraception (EC) is in the news. Regulations are changing, and there is a new one-dose version. Find out all the latest here:

Fla. ACLU publishes guide for pregnant teens

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MIAMI - The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida is releasing a guide to teach pregnant teenagers their legal options and rights.

"The Legal Guide for Pregnant Teens in Florida" includes information on legal aspects of abortion, adoption and raising children. Other topics include getting public assistance for housing, health insurance and how to get an immigration status change.

The project was modeled after a book written by a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which printed 30,000 copies.

Letter: Teen Pregnancy

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May 6, 2009, The Miami Herald

Wednesday is the eighth annual National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and a reminder that our country and our state can do better. The U.S. teen birthrate has increased for the second year in a row. An estimated 750,000 American teens become pregnant each year. Florida's teen-pregnancy rate is the nation's sixth highest. <!--break-->

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