Hundreds of thousands of teens expected to participate in National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month

(Washington, DC)—Hundreds of thousands of teens nationwide are expected to participate in National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month this May, particularly on the 16th annual National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, taking place on May 3, 2017. The purpose of National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month is to focus the attention of teens on the importance of avoiding too-early pregnancy and parenthood through an interactive online quiz.

Throughout the month of May, teens nationwide are asked to visit StayTeen.org and take the National Day Quiz and play Level Up: An Epic Swiping Adventure, two interactive, engaging digital resources that challenge them to think carefully about what they might do “in the moment” though a series of interactive scenarios.

The extraordinary declines in teen pregnancy and childbearing over the past two decades prove that progress can be made on tough issues. In fact, few social problems have improved quite as dramatically over the past 20 years as teen pregnancy.

The latest news on the teen pregnancy front has been incredibly positive. Since the early 1990s, teen pregnancy and birth rates in the United State have declined by 55 percent and 64 percent respectively and are now at record low levels. In Gordon County teen pregnancies and births have also declined.

In 2011, Gordon County pregnancies between the ages of 15-17 totaled 37; in 2015, they totaled 17. Gordon County births in 2011 between the ages of 15 - 19 were 113; in 2015, they totaled 59.

For more information on National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month and the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, please visit TheNationalCampaign. org/event/national-teen-pregnancy-prevention-month.

In 2010 Family Connection of Gordon County started the Teen Health Task Force to address awareness of teen issues including pregnancy and STD prevention, education on reproductive health and cancer prevention, as well as dating safety and prevention of underage drinking. “Teen pregnancy is a serious issue in Georgia. By preventing teen and unplanned pregnancy, we can significantly improve other serious social problems including poverty, child abuse and neglect, father-absence, low birth weight, school failure, and poor preparation for the workforce. Preventing teen pregnancy is a priority for the Department of Public Health. DPH uses a comprehensive approach to address teen pregnancy through evidences-based programs and best practices,” stated Lisa Crowder, Nurse Manager with Gordon County Health Department. For more information call 706-602-5139 or email Roberta@ gordonconnection.org