May is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month

Prevention of teen pregnancy is a complex issue. There are many different perspectives and approaches to the problem. In Kern County, 2,010 babies were born to mothers ages 15-19 in 2010, an average of five babies each day that year.  It’s true that rates of teen pregnancy have been falling over time in California; however, Kern County continues to have the highest teen birth rate in the state with 62.7 births per 1,000 females. During the month of May, Kern Cares encourages the community to commit to preventing teenage pregnancy. Kern Cares Facebook (www.facebook.com/kerncares) and Kern Cares website (www.kerncares.org) will highlight parent/child communication, youth development, local programs/initiatives directed at reducing teen pregnancy, information on teen health services and resources to improve outcomes for teen parents.