They might not ask, but teens need our help with many things: homework, learning to drive, dating — and yes, avoiding pregnancy. May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month and it’s a good reminder that we all need to help
They might not ask, but teens need our help with many things: homework, learning to drive, dating — and yes, avoiding pregnancy. May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month and it’s a good reminder that we all need to help teens get the information and resources they need to prevent pregnancy until they’re ready to become parents.
Did you know that one in three U.S. women become pregnant before they turn 20? In Hawaii, over 3,000 teenagers become pregnant each year, causing Hawaii to have the 12th-highest teen pregnancy rate in the country. Teen pregnancy comes with serious consequences for young people, their children and our community. For example, teen parents are less likely to graduate from high school and more likely to live in poverty. Their children are at a higher risk for a host of economic, social and health problems. And the financial cost to our community? $37 million per year.
The good news is that we know what works to prevent teens from getting pregnant before they’re ready. Research shows that comprehensive sexual health education helps young people delay sex and helps to increase the use of contraception and condoms when young people do become sexually active. Comprehensive sexual health education is supported by organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics and is the only type of sexual health education approved for use in Hawaii schools.
Come out to Hale ‘Opio’s third annual Teen Health Fair in commemoration of National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday at Kukui Grove. Last year, a number of youth-serving organizations and over 300 teens participated in the fair.
This year promises to be yet another educational, fun-filled event with a musical talent show, activities, special performances, and gift-card giveaways throughout the evening. Daphne Sanchez of the Jam Room and JR Guerrero of Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii will be emceeing this family-friendly event.
Do you need help talking to your child about sex? Throughout the entire month of May, teens will be invited to visit The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy’s teen website, StayTeen.org, to participate in their online National Day Quiz, which challenges them to think carefully about what they might do “in the moment” through a series of interactive scenarios.
We know that parents and ohana are young people’s most influential educators and so we at Planned Parenthood of Hawaii offer resources, guidance, and encouragement to teens and parents to talk about relationships and sex.
Every year, Planned Parenthood of Hawaii provides comprehensive, age-appropriate, medically accurate sex education programs to thousands of people of all ages in schools and communities across Hawaii. For more information about the Planned Parenthood of Hawaii Kauai Education and Outreach Program, please contact cchiang@pphi.org or call 482-2756.
• Cynthia Chiang, Health Educator, with the Planned Parenthood of Hawaii Kauai Education and Outreach Program
