By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
Kentucky has one of the highest teen birth rates in the country, which Dr. Stephanie Stockburger, who leads the University of Kentucky’s Adolescent Medicine program, says comes from a patchwork approach to sexual education and health care, Alena Neves reports for ABC 36 News Now.
“With higher teen birth rates, it’s less comprehensive,” Stockburger told Neves. “Parents have to opt in to sex education instead of opting out. Other factors — poverty, lower income, adverse childhood experiences, lack of access to healthcare or health insurance — are all major barriers to prevention.”
She adds that prevention begins within families by creating openness and connection, Neves reports.
“Talking openly — sexual experiences are normal, part of being human — and we want people to be safe and happy and make wise choices,” she said. “Having community programs and positive mentors also plays a huge role in preventing teen pregnancy.”
Neves points to two programs that aim to create community and offer resources to young pregnant women: the Not Alone Pregnancy Center in Georgetown and the Step by Step program in Lexington.
“A lot of our young moms don’t have people they can rely on,” Tanya Torp of Step by Step told Neves. “They’re often going through everything alone. We help them build relationships that are strong and healthy — friendships that can support them. Maybe one works first shift, and the other works third shift,” she added. “They’ll babysit for one another, share responsibilities, and call each other during hard times.”
Editor’s note: According to the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps report, there were 23 teen births per 1,000 females ages 15-19 between 2018 and 2024. The report shows that the rates range from a high of 49 teen births per 1,000 females ages 15-19 in Lee County to five in Oldham County.
Courtesy of Kentucky Health News.
