CDC finds stark regional disparities in teen-pregnancy rates (Abstinence-Only Education FAIL!!!)

[LynneSin]

http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/state-issues/125059-cdc-finds-stark-regional-disparities-in-teen-pregnancy-rates

CDC finds stark regional disparities in teen-pregnancy rates

Although national teen-pregnancy rates are on the decline, the disparities between states are often dramatic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Wednesday. Some women's health advocates say the discrepancies are indication that comprehensive sex-education programs are producing results for states that offer them, while states emphasizing abstinence-only programs aren't faring as well.

Whatever the reason, the regional disparities are stark. In Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, for instance, 2008 birth rates were less than 25 per 1,000 teens aged 15 to 19, CDC found. In the same year, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas all had rates topping 60 per 1,000 teens.

<<<<snip>>>>>

A recent report from the Guttmacher Institute, a women's reproductive health group, bolsters those claims. All five states with the highest teen birth rates have adopted policies requiring that abstinence be stressed when taught as part of sex education, HIV education or both, the group found. Only one of the five states (New Mexico) mandates that sex education be a part of students' curriculum.

Of the four states with the lowest teen birth rates, none requires that abstinence be stressed to students, according to Guttmacher.

[mwb970]

1. Well, DUH!!

"comprehensive sex-education programs are producing results for states that offer them, while states emphasizing abstinence-only programs aren't faring as well."

I could have told them that before they spent time and money on this survey! (Of course, I knew that there were no WMD in Iraq too. And that bush jr would be a horrible president. And that deregulating the financial industry would lead to disaster. And so on. And so on. And so on.)

Look at me! I can predict the future.

[get the red out]

2. just a guess, but..

I can't help but wonder if the states with the lowest teen pregnancy rate, and the most comprehensive sex education aren't also states where people are more logical and want to help their children rather than just indoctrinate them in the condemnation of religious extremism?

[immoderate]

3. One of the great paradoxes -- the stupid breed more.

--imm

[Bigmack]

7. Watch the first five minutes of "Idiocracy"... nt

[formercia]

4. Immaculate Conception

Must be, with all of that religious indoctrination that goes along.

[w8liftinglady]

5. ah,yes.Texas rates #2 in teen live births-then turns it's collective backs as the kids age

Oh,but save the "babies"...well,babies grow,folks.
http://womensissues.about.com/od/datingandsex/a/TeenPregStates.htm

Texas also has an enormous Rape and child molestation ratio-you don't hear about that.
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/csot/csot_tfacts.shtm

And,apparently,a huge child and domestic abuse population
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mch/medcares.shtm

Oh,yes...we are an abstinence-only" state...from birth control,not sex.

[w8liftinglady]

6. and,P.S...all my sons have been thoroughly educated in Birth Control/protection