Support AB 314 for medically accurate sex ed in schools

Hey, in case you hadn’t heard:

Sound medically accurate, sex education in our schools has been one of society’s best weapons against unplanned and unintended pregnancy. That’s why I support Assemblyman David Bobzien’s bill, AB 314.

Nevada has the second highest teen pregnancy rate in the nation. Hmmm. Why do you think? Perhaps a lack of really thorough sex ed … and access to birth control? Janine Hansen of the Eagle Forum thinks perhaps Facebook and the social media causes teen pregnancy. 

I’m with the group that thinks ignorance, fear and lack of access to reproductive services and information causes teen/unplanned/unintended pregnancy.

click to direct to originating site

For more information on the costs of teen pregnancy specific to Nevada:

THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT TEEN PREGNANCY
www.teenpregnancy.org

A new analysis from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy shows that teen childbearing (teens 19 and younger) in Nevada cost taxpayers (federal, state, and local) at least $67 million in 2004.

• Of the total 2004 teen childbearing costs in Nevada, 54% were federal costs and 46% were state and local costs.

• Most of the costs of teen childbearing are associated with negative consequences for the children of teen mothers. In Nevada, in 2004, annual taxpayer costs associated with children born to teen mothers included: $7 million for public health care (Medicaid and SCHIP); $8 million for child welfare; $13 million for incarceration; and $25 million in lost tax revenue, due to decreased earnings and spending.*

• The costs of childbearing are greatest for younger teens. In Nevada, the average annual cost associated with a child born to a mother 17 and younger is $3,040.

• Between 1991 and 2004 there have been more than 48,900 teen births in Nevada, costing taxpayers a total of $0.9 billion over that period.

• The teen birth rate in Nevada declined 31 percent between 1991 and 2004. The
progress Nevada has made in reducing teen childbearing saved taxpayers an estimated $37 million in 2004 alone.

• Nationally teen childbearing costs taxpayers at least $9.1 billion a year.

• For more information, including a national report and state-by-state comparisons, please visit www.teenpregnancy.org/costs.