Texas has thefifth highest teen birth rate in the country and ranks first for repeat teen pregnancies.
The teen birth rate in Bexar County declined by 53 percentsince 2006 but remained 49 percent higher than the national rate for ages 15-19, according to the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District's latest findings.
The Trump administration recently announced $200 million of funding cuts for teen pregnancy prevention initiatives throughout the country, including two in San Antonio, saying there is "little evidence these programs have had a positive impact."
Teen childbearing in Bexar Country cost an estimated $60 million in 2012. The statewide cost for teen births was at least $1.1 billion in 2010.
Expecting a child at a young age also means significant personal costs and sacrifices. The number one reason girls drop out of school is an unplanned pregnancy.
The teen pregnancy issue is related to complex socioeconomic factors like access to healthcare and the cycle of poverty.
What's being done to curb high and repeat teen birth rates in Bexar County? What resources are available to young mothers in San Antonio?
How will federal funding cuts affect the work of San Antonio organizations committed to this issue?
Guests:
- Colleen Bridger, director of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District
- Dr. Janet Realini, associate vice president and founder of Healthy Futures of Texas
- Angela Montez, program supervisor for The Children's Shelter's Nurse-Family Partnership
- Katelynn Sheppard, 15-year-old San Antonio mother
This is a pre-recorded interview and calls will not be taken.
