Correct, up-to-date data is essential for good policy decision and incorporating best practices. Research1 indicates that teen pregnancy is less likely when boys and girls, regardless of income or race:
- Connect to their families, schools and neighborhoods in positive and meaningful ways;
- Have safe places to spend time with adult supervision and interesting things to do;
- Get comprehensive, teen-friendly health care;
- Make a clear plan that does not include pregnancy during their teen years;
- Experience success in school from an early age; and
- Have a sense of belonging.
Indicators of the quality of life for DC teens is often difficult to
locate. As a service to the youth development community, DC Campaign
provides links to resources that have been identified as accurate. If
you have other resources you recommend, please contact Joyce Fourth
Clemons at 202-789-4666 extension 12 or JFourth(at)DCCampaign(dot)org.
Here are resources you can use:
For additional information from DC Campaign, visit our publications page.
1. Community Programs to Promote Youth
Development, National Research Council (Washington, DC: National
Academy Press, 2002), 6-7.
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From the Department of Health...the latest reported pregnancies and pregnancy rates for DC.
According to the DC State Department of Health Statistics, the 2007 teen pregnancy rate is 58.6 pregnancies per 1,000 girls age 15 to 19 in DC. The teen pregnancy data typically lags 2-3 years behind real time.
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Teen pregnancy is at the root of many problems we face as a city. Children of teen parents generally fare badly: 70 percent of teen mothers typically do not graduate from high school and child support is a responsibility many teen fathers cannot meet. Research demonstrates that children of adolescent mothers are more than twice as likely to be abused and neglected; more likely to have learning disabilities; more likely to be unprepared for school with vocabulary and attention deficits; about five percent of these children will end up in foster care; and children of teen parents are more likely to become teen parents themselves. Sons born to teen mothers are three times more likely to be involved with the juvenile justice system.
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The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) measures behaviors that put young people at risk for disease, injury and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the YRBS in collaboration with federal, state and private sector partners including state and local departments of education. The YRBS measures behaviors in six areas:
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