More than 19,000 North Carolinians between the ages of 10 and 19 get pregnant each year – giving us the 9^th highest teen pregnancy rate in the nation. And while our rates have improved over the past two decades, we cannot deny the profound effect that teen pregnancy has on communities, future generations and the teens themselves.

 

The answer to, “Why do teens get pregnant?” can seem so simple – after all, we all know how babies are made. But both significant research and common sense tell us that the answer to that question is much more complicated. Education, socio-economic status, future opportunities, how a teen relates to parents or peers, and self-esteem only scratch the surface of the more than 200 risk factors for teen pregnancy.

 

Preventing teen pregnancy requires a multi-pronged approach. Schools, community groups, parents, doctors, educators, legislators, and teens themselves must all be involved to give teens a chance for a healthy future.