UT Teen Health receives $9.8 million federal grant to curb teen pregnancy in South Texas
UT Teen Health receives $9.8 million federal grant to curb teen pregnancy in South Texas KENS5.com
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Teen Pregnancy Rates in South Texas Remain a Concern for Healthcare Providers
The issue of teen pregnancy continues to persist in South Texas, particularly in rural communities and among teens of color. In fact, the teen pregnancy rates in 24 counties in South Texas are up to four times higher than the national average.
Addressing Disparate Health Needs and Burdens
Recognizing the urgent need for intervention, Jennifer Todd, project manager of UT Teen Health, an initiative of UT Health San Antonio that promotes adolescent health and wellness, emphasizes that these counties suffer from disparate health needs and burdens.
The Impact of Limited Access to Resources and Healthcare Services
The national teen birth rate has decreased across the country since 1991, with 13.9 births per one thousand births for teens between the ages of 15 and 19. However, birth rates among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black teens remain high at 21.8 per one thousand births. Todd attributes this disparity to limited access to educational resources and healthcare services available to young people and their families in these communities.
Focusing on 38 Counties with a Hispanic Majority
UT Health San Antonio’s Teen Health program aims to address these disparities by focusing on 38 counties where 69% of the population is Hispanic. The program aims to advance adolescent health equity through evidence-based programs and positive youth development.
Collaboration with Various Community-Based Organizations
To effectively reach the target population, UT Teen Health will collaborate with school districts, clinics, detention centers, and other community-based organizations, particularly in rural areas. With a $9.8 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, the program will implement teen pregnancy prevention programs over the next five years.
Importance of Strategic Approach
Todd expresses excitement about the program’s launch and emphasizes the need for a strategic approach. By providing resources and support, the program aims to empower teens to delay parenthood until after completing their education, thereby increasing their chances of long-term success.
Long-Term Implications of Teen Pregnancy
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that teen pregnancy is associated with increased high school dropout rates. Additionally, children of teen mothers are more likely to drop out of high school, experience teen pregnancy themselves, face incarceration, and struggle with unemployment.
Progress in Bexar County
In Bexar County, birth rates have decreased since 2016 but remain higher than the national average. Central and southwest San Antonio have particularly high birth rates. UT Teen Health previously implemented a community-wide initiative in Bexar County in 2010, which resulted in a 73% drop in teen birth rates. The program hopes to achieve similar results with the support of South Texas communities this time around.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
- SDG 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Teen birth rates per one thousand births for teens between the age 15 and 19.
- Access to educational resources.
- Access to health care services.
- High school drop out rates.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | – Teen birth rates per one thousand births for teens between the age 15 and 19. – Access to health care services. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. | – Access to educational resources. – High school drop out rates. |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | SDG 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences. | – Teen birth rates per one thousand births for teens between the age 15 and 19. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. | – Teen birth rates per one thousand births for teens between the age 15 and 19. |
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Source: kens5.com
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