Madison's
Teen Birth Rate Increases
National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Data
from the Wisconsin Bureau of Health Information indicate that there
were 271 births to teens in the City of Madison in 2000, resulting
in a teen birth rate of 29.2 births per 1000 females aged 15-19 (the
number of births includes births to teens younger than 15 years).
This rate is a 36% increase over 1990's teen birth rate of
21.5. Madison's rate
increase is cause for concern in view of the decrease of both the
state and US teen birth rates during that same time.
In Madison overall from 1990 to 2000, the greatest percent increase was in the 15-17 year age group, where a 70% increase was noted. The 18-19 year age group showed a 21% increase. White teens and Black teens had a similar overall increase (26% and 27%), but the teen birth rates in these groups vary significantly. While birth rates in White teens aged 15-17 increased 133% to 23.6, the teen birth rate in Black females aged 15-17 was 135.4 in 2000, an increase of 25%. In the 18-19 year age group, the birth rate in Whites increased 2% to 17.5, and 28% in Blacks to 174.9. Both the Black and White rates include Non-Hispanic and Hispanic teens. Data showing the teen birth rate for other racial and ethnic groups are not yet available for Madison.
Currently,
the Madison Department of Public Health and other community partners
provide services to pregnant teens.
These include helping pregnant teens find prenatal care and
free or low-cost health care coverage, referral to community
resources, and provision of education and support services to
improve their health and increase their chances of having a healthy
baby.
A comprehensive approach to assuring healthy birth outcomes and readiness for parenting would involve bringing community partners together to examine the teen pregnancy issue in Madison and potential solutions. The first step is to promote the First National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy on May 8, 2002. This event is sponsored by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, Teen People Magazine, Teen People Online, and the National Day's founding partners.
On May 8th, teens across the country can participate in an interactive, confidential online quiz, which includes a series of scenarios, fun facts and stories that will prompt teens to think about how they would react in certain situations to avoid pregnancy. The quiz can be accessed by visiting www.teenpregnancy.org , the website for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. The Madison Department of Public Health's website at www.cityofmadison.com/health/whatshot/hot.html will provide a link to the National Campaign website.
Also visit the National Campaign website for further information, including free downloads of National Day materials and suggestions for getting teens involved or contact Megan Robb at (202) 478-8500 or e-mail to nationalday@teenpregnancy.org
If
you have questions, please call:
Mary Bradley, RN, MS
Maternal-Child Health Specialist
Madison Department of Public Health
2705 E. Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 608-294-5269
FAX: 608-246-5619
E-mail:
mbradley@cityofmadison.com