The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) urges Congress to shift funding from abstinence-only sex education to comprehensive, age-appropriate programs for all teens, and advocates access to contraceptive services for all reproductive-age women.

"Teen pregnancy is a problem that's not going away, and it's time to reevaluate which strategies are working and which are not. The efficacy of abstinence-only programs has come into question and 17 states now reject federal funding for them," said ACOG immediate Past President Douglas W. Laube, MD, MEd. "In recognition of the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, it is especially timely to consider a return to sex education programs which promote medically accurate information about both abstinence and contraception to reduce adolescent pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections."

In 2006, after years of steady decline, the number of births to teens rose for the first time demonstrating the clear need for improved and ongoing teen pregnancy prevention awareness. According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unintended Pregnancy-which spearheads the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy held on May 7-31% of girls and young women in the US become pregnant before age 20, and nearly all of these pregnancies are unintended. While more consistent condom use, increased use of hormonal contraceptives by young women, and adolescents practicing abstinence or delaying the start of sex have contributed to a decline in teen pregnancy, the downward trend may be reversing.

"Everyone suffers where teen pregnancy is concerned. There is a high financial, social, and emotional cost for adolescents and their babies," Laube noted. One-third of teen pregnancies end in abortion. Of those who decide to carry a pregnancy to term, few teens choose adoption-90% raise the child themselves. When compared with women who delay having children until their early 20s, teen mothers are much more likely to remain unmarried and raise their children without a partner. Adolescent moms are significantly less likely to receive their high school diploma than those who wait to have children. They are more likely to live in poverty, receive public assistance, and have long periods of welfare dependency. Teen fathers are also less likely to finish high school and are more likely to have lower paying jobs than their male peers who have children later.

Newborns and children of teen parents are also affected. Pregnant teens often experience pregnancy complications due to lack of prenatal care. Teen moms may not be getting the proper nutrition and may use alcohol, drugs, and other substances that are harmful to a fetus.

Nearly 10% of babies born to teen mothers are low birth weight. Later in life, the daughters of teen mothers are themselves at high risk of having children in their adolescent years, and their sons have a higher chance of being incarcerated than the sons of older mothers.

ACOG recommends that teens have their first visit to the ob-gyn between the ages of 13 and 15 to increase the chances that they are seen before the onset of sexual activity. The first reproductive health visit is an excellent time to provide teens with early and accurate information about sex. Ob-gyns can discuss pregnancy prevention, STDs, correct condom usage, and contraceptive options and answer any questions that teens may be too embarrassed to ask otherwise.

Parents play a major role in discouraging teen pregnancy. According to the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health, teens who feel connected to their parents and family are less likely to begin intercourse early. Adolescents are also more likely to delay the start of sex if they perceive that their parents disapprove of teen sexual activity.

"Parents, health professionals, community organizations, churches, schools, teachers, and teens can all have a positive impact on the teen pregnancy problem. ACOG encourages families and communities to work together to develop better prevention solutions," Dr. Laube added. More information on talking to teens about sexuality and pregnancy is available at teenpregnancy.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is the national medical organization representing over 52,000 members who provide health care for women.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists