A Rhode Island organization released a statewide plan Wednesday to reduce teen pregnancy.
The Rhode Island Alliance, a statewide coalition, released details at the Rhode Island Department of Health, and followed with a panel discussion.
Dr. Patricia Flanagan, Rhode Island Alliance chairwoman and chief of clinical affairs at Hasbro Children's Hospital, said one part of the plan is to focus more on 18- and 19-year-olds.
"Two-thirds of all of our pregnancies happen in 18- and 19-year-olds, and almost a quarter are repeat pregnancies," she said.
Community leaders also recommended reframing teen pregnancy as a health issue, giving youth access to confidential care and contraception and examining how a teen's social environment contributes to teen pregnancy.
"This is not a problem of teen girls, but of adults in the community," Flanagan said.
According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, the state has the highest pregnancy rate in New England.
The Health Department said Central Falls is the highest in the region with 121 births per 1,000 teens. The city is followed by Woonsocket and Pawtucket.
"We know that teen pregnancy and poverty are very closely related. Not only do young ladies face challenges when they have babies, but a vast majority are poor before they got pregnant," Flanagan said.
The alliance said it plans on implementing the strategies within the next five years, with a key focus on keeping teens engaged and educated.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement