Recent studies in St. Louis and Colorado, published in The News, have confirmed that giving teens free long-term contraception dramatically reduces abortions and pregnancies.
In Colorado, a state health initiative giving teens free long-term contraception reduced teen pregnancy by 40 percent.
Since Texas has the fourth-highest teen pregnancy rate in the nation, and Dallas’ rate is almost double the state rate, we should all be clamoring for Texas to do the same. Teen births cost Texas $1.1 billion, 11.7 percent of the amount spent nationally.
Teen mothers are more likely to live in poverty, and their children are more likely to be neglected and abused.
The North Texas Alliance to Reduce Teen Pregnancy promotes a multidisciplinary approach including education for parents and teens and programs that help teens set goals and plan futures.
The discussion does not stop at birth control, but it is undeniably a great start.
Terry Goltz Greenberg, North Dallas
Executive Director, North Texas Alliance to Reduce Teen Pregnancy