Planned Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast Marks National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
For Immediate Release: June 3, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2014
CONTACT: Alina Labrada, Director of Media Relations, 561.472.9956
Planned Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast Marks National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month Emphasizing the Importance of Sex Education and Access to Birth Control for Young People
WEST PALM BEACH, May 08, 2014—In recognition of this year’s National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (May), Planned Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast is highlighting the role of comprehensive sexual health education in reducing teen pregnancies and the need for access to youth-friendly health services.
There is good news to report. A new study published by the Guttmacher Institute, “U.S. Teenage Pregnancies, Births
and Abortions, 2010: National and State Trends by Age, Race and Ethnicity”, shows a dramatic drop in teen pregnancy rates. But there is still work to be done. Nearly 750,000 teenagers in the U.S. will become pregnant this year alone. Florida’s teen pregnancy rate is the 6th highest in the nation. In 2014 there were nearly 53,000 births to teen mothers in
the state according to the Florida Department of Health, with 9,000 of those repeat births. There are 2,061.580 women statewide in need of contraceptive services and supplies; 133,440 of those women are in Palm Beach County.
“When it comes to lowering the teen pregnancy rate, we know what works: access to birth control and good sexual health education,” said Lillian Tamayo, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast. “When teens have the information they need, they make smarter decisions about sex. In fact, sexual health education
has been proven to help young people delay sex, and to use contraception and condoms when they do become
sexually active.”
Not only is comprehensive sex education proven to be effective at decreasing sexual risk behaviors among young people, the vast majority of Americans support it – including a majority of both parents and teens.
- Ninety-three percent of parents believe that high school sex education programs should cover a variety of topics including birth control.
- More than three-quarters of teens ages 15–17 report that they need more information about birth control, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted infections.
- In Florida, the Broward County School Board just passed one of the most comprehensive sexual health education policies in the country with the overwhelming support of parents, students, and community organizations.
“We work every day to reach teens with information about healthy relationships and sexuality, as well as the importance of protecting themselves against both unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections,” added Cory Neering, Vice President of Education at Planned Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast.
As the nation’s largest provider of sex education, Planned Parenthood offers resources, guidance, and encouragement to teens and parents to talk about relationships and sex. Planned Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast provides high-quality, teen-friendly health services as well as comprehensive sexual health education, reaching 15,000 teens in South Florida.
“We’re committed to helping teens make good decisions,” said Tamayo.
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Planned Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast, Inc. was founded in 1971. Our mission is to provide comprehensive sexual health care through the provision of clinical services, education and advocacy.
Our 9 health centers in South Florida are dedicated to providing services that are affordable, accessible and available to all women, men and youth in the community, regardless of the individual’s income, race, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or residence. Our goal is to create the healthiest generation ever.