Health and Human Services on Teen Pregnancy - Research Paper Example

Health and Human Services on Teen Pregnancy Table of Contents Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………………..3 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………4 Discussion ………………………………………………………………………………………...5 History and Changes to Teen Pregnancy …………………………………………………….....5 HHS Programs ………………………………………………………………………………….7 An Example of an Effective Program …………………………………………………………..8 Effects of Legislation Changes and Its Cultural Competence ………………………………….9 Future Predictions …………………………………………………………………………......10 Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………….11 References …………………………………………………………………………………….12 Abstract This paper explores teenage pregnancy as a communal concern. One of the focal points of the following discussions is on the Health and Human Services’ take on this issue. “During the past five years, the issue of adolescent pregnancy has captured the attention of policy makers as well as of the general public” (Vinovskis, 1981, p.205). Time and again, adolescent pregnancy has been one of the major concerns of the masses. Contributory factors lie in the myriad of cultural elements of the people and their environment. Devastating effects range from usual emotional stress to general economic and educational setbacks. The HHS has addressed this problem through a number of mandates and programs such as comprehensive sex educations, health care, and researches. Several programs have been greatly effective in lessening the statistics. With more collaboration and resources, future plans will extensively assuage teen pregnancy. Teen Pregnancy Introduction Teenage pregnancy is one of the serious challenges that the society has been facing for a number of years. Statistics have shown the veracity of this social issue. Contributory factors range from countless general elements such as culture and poverty to particulars like personal viewpoints and attitude on relationships. To tackle the crisis, Health and Human Services (HHS) have encouraged and implemented programs. Different kinds of strategies have been utilized by a variety of organizations in diverse areas. This paper specifically delves into the matter of teen pregnancy and how the HHS has intervened regarding this problem. Particularly, the following discussions cite how teenage pregnancy has affected the public overtime. Certain facts on its history and some alterations of the problem will be mentioned. Furthermore, the various development programs to address the said crisis are mainly considered. Specially, HHS’ strategies will be discoursed. An example of a best practice will be highlighted. This will be a kind of an approach that is quite efficient in coming up with positive results. This entails plans that seek to work for the target population which considers their peculiarity and lifestyle. Evident effects of changes in the legislations will be looked into. The improvement of the situation as a result of the mandates testify to the significance of the approaches supported by the said laws. The rulings’ competence with diverse populations are likewise noteworthy. Some laws are only particular with certain situations but are not that applicable in other kinds of contexts. Finally, the future’s inclination concerning teen pregnancy will be reviewed. Discussion History and Changes to Teen Pregnancy One of the erstwhile journals in 1981 reported that and epidemic of adolescent pregnancy has some historical considerations. “During the past five years, the issue of adolescent pregnancy has captured the attention of policy makers as well as of the general public… Throughout the debates on the Adolescent Health, Services, and Pregnancy Prevention Act of 1978, very few of the participants ever questioned the idea that adolescent pregnancy today was an unprecedented and growing problem for our society” (Vinovskis, 1981, p.205). Even then, teenage pregnancy was a heavy issue. Laws and organizations were mobilized to help lessen the number of teen parents. Still, at present, girls as early as fifteen to nineteen years old face tough choices brought about by their unexpected pregnancies (Immell, 2002). Almost a million of American teens get pregnant annually. The United States has been reported to have the highest number of pregnant teenagers. As time goes by, this situation seems to become more and more acceptable. Nowadays, it is not anymore shocking to see a pregnant teenager going to high school. With an increasingly liberated culture, mass media seems to glamorize teenage parents. This crisis leads to various difficulties that may branch out to different kinds of challenges. The problem does not solely affect the mother but her partner, parents, siblings, friends, and her child’s life as well. Several effects include health issues, psychosocial challenges, and other disadvantages to the children’s right to a fulfilling life. Because of their young age, a number of teen mothers need more attention since they are not that biologically disposed to pregnancy and child birth. Many child bearing complications have been attributed to juvenile pregnancy. “Compared with babies of older mothers, those born to teenagers are more likely to have lower birth weights, increased infant mortality, and an increased risk of hospital admission” (Langille, 2007, p.11). Since many adolescent mothers did not expect their pregnancies, it is also very likely that they would only seek prenatal care during the 2nd or 3rd trimester of their gravidity. Moreover, due to their condition, teen parents have a hard time completing their basic education. According to the Teen Pregnancy Organization, “about half (51%) of teen moms have a high school diploma compared to 89% of women who did not have a teen birth” (2010). Besides the social stigma that they experience, they also suffer from many kinds of school demands, peer pressure, and family time commitments. This stems from their early responsibility to balance parenthood, academics, and extracurricular activities. This unfortunate situation then leads to lesser opportunities regarding quality education and employment. As a result, their children will also have reduced chances of having valuable provisions in different aspects. This then creates a domino effect and negatively influences the community since teenage pregnancy causes more liabilities in numerous dimensions. Decades ago, teenage pregnancy has been viewed as a fatally immoral act. Church teachings, family values, and other sources of moral standards viewed it as a severe taboo. However, its higher incidence rate has somehow made people more accepting or understanding of the situation. The condition has also alarmed diverse authorities, churches, schools, families, and other organizations. Laws have been passed to prevent the occurrence of adolescent pregnancies. The teenagers themselves and their family members can be empowered to confront this issue (Colberg, 1997). With the help of the government and the willingness of the masses, the incidence of unwanted and too early pregnancies may be decreased. Various programs and advocacies have been launched to protect and support young parents and their children. HHS Development Programs Abstinence education programs have been one of the noteworthy strategies that were employed. As stated by the Department of Health and Human Services Press Office, this was enacted in 1996 with a budget of $50 million each year (2002). Specifically, counselling and mentoring activities were carried out. Moreover, adolescent life family programs were launched. This supports related social services, demonstrations on postponing sexual relationships, and associated researches. An ally office, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also subsidized similar movements. In coordination with both public and private agencies, the undertakings to reduce teen pregnancy were realized. “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is fighting teen pregnancy. Today, HHS announced that a whopping $155 million would be allotted for teen prevention programs in states, school districts, universities, and non-profit organizations nationwide” (Dunbar, 2010, p.1). The government aims to come up with effective approaches. The funds were also aimed to support researches and other novel ideas geared towards alleviating the crisis and its consequences. The financial support was meant to be facilitated by the Office of Adolescent Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Administration for Children and Families. With the collaboration of the related departments, the contributory factors have been hopefully lessened. Recently, Mathematica Research has released updates related to the teen pregnancy evidence-based programs. The conclusions give insight as to the best strategies and the types of participants in relation to the problem (2012). Mathematica Research worked in partnership with Child Trends. Through their alliance, predetermines and databases on factors responsible for teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other sexual risk behaviors. The project is currently being polished to further review existing study syntheses, baseline equivalences, and other pertinent data. An Example of an Effective Practice Regarding Teen Pregnancy When it comes to the prevention of adolescent pregnancy, there are a number of approaches such as State Personal Responsibility Education Program, Tribal Personal Responsibility Education Program, and Competitive Abstinence Education Grant Program. These seek to decrease the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, and unexpected pregnancies among the youth. The programs are also developed to cater to specific cultures to maximize efficiency and diversity. One of the commendable approaches is the program of Vermont. With their strategy, they aim to sustain stable families with children who thrive and can contribute to the community’s empowerment. Their authorities agree that the best strategies are “intensive, comprehensive, and flexible” (Vermont Agency of Human Services, 1999, p.4). Particularly, their community encourages comprehensive health care. There is a provision of contraceptives, home visitations, and parent-child networks. Schools are also mandated to include responsive sex-education. This enlightens children and teens on abstinence, contraceptives, STDs, sexual harassment, as well as drug abuse. The varied programs are very much facilitated by the youth themselves. Older teens get to teach the younger ones. Lastly, the whole community is greatly engaged through social groupings, links, educational centers, churches, and health care providers. With the collaboration of all sectors, risk factors are addressed, career opportunities are initiated, and education is furthered. Effect of Changes in Legislation and Its Cultural Competence Particularly, teen pregnancy has been an issue for Native American adolescents. They specifically have a higher incidence as compared to other kinds of cultures. According to the Family and Youth Services Bureau, “Teen birth rate among Native American teens increased by 12 percent between 2005 and 2007” (2012, p.1). This is a significant rate increase as compared to other minority groups. To address the crisis, the Personal Responsibility Education Program or PREP funnelled its contingencies into the Native American tribes to help assuage the problem. The said program was made possible through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. The directive delves into the adjustment of teens towards adulthood. It also aspires to reverse the trend of pregnant juveniles. Consultations were conducted and well-thought out plans were agreed upon. The schemes were based on studies and other scientifically proven behaviour modification techniques. Strategies were personalized regarding the said tribe to be able to cater to their specific needs. The general themes that were included in the program are on adolescent development, effective relationships, financial intelligence, family communication, personality development, and education as well as career goals. Related topics concerning life skills are also incorporated. “By 2011, 16 tribes and tribal organizations had welcomed PREP into their communities. First year grantees have received a combined $6.5 million to implement the program in Alabama, Arizona, California, Michigan, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon and South Dakota” (Langille, 2012, p.1601). The cooperative efforts of the authorities and the citizens have made positive changes possible. The frequent dialogues with the Natives have led to paramount advocacies. Future Predictions Basing on the aforementioned developments, it is very likely that future directions will also look into various ethnic groups. Since current thrusts are concerned with diversity and globalization, forthcoming laws and systems may be similarly geared towards preventing teenage pregnancy in all other minority groups such as Asians, Hispanics, and Black Americans. “Teen birth rates—which declined among all racial and ethnic groups beginning in the 1990s and flattened out early in the early 2000s--increased in 2006. In that year, there was a 3 percent rise in both the teen pregnancy rate and the teen birth rate. Clearly, such statistics do not bode well for our nation's youth. However, there is a population of young people who are at even greater risk for teen pregnancy and parenting: youth in foster care” (Bilchik, & Wilson-Simmon, 2010, p.2). This excerpt reflects that current advocates are also concerned about teen pregnancy among the foster care youth. They have high risks due to the perceived instability of their home life. They tend to focus greatly on their belongingness from their intimate relationships. This may lead to immature sexual relationships, thus, unexpected pregnancies. Last 2003, the Cornerstone Consulting Group, Inc. stated that there are three policy strategies central to preventing teen pregnancy. These are comprehensive sexuality education, access to contraceptives and reproductive health care, and youth development. At present, these policies are already being implemented. However, for teen pregnancy to be significantly lowered in the near future, more dynamic and operational measures need to be practiced concerning the said 3 tactics. By intensifying life skills and nurturing mature decisions, the crisis can be successfully intervened. Potential stratagems also include enhancement of concrete perspectives such as behavioral skills training. This works on group and intimate discussions and simulations. Stereotypes and other ill-perceived relationship notions are facilitated. Problem solving skills are likewise demonstrated and examined. Trainees get to build social support that enable them to face present and future high-risk situations. In connection with the advancement of technology and mass media, these trainings and activisms have been and will be more popular in different social networking sites and other online hubs. The aforementioned movements will then lead to more specific mandates, broader sponsorships, and more active promotions. Conclusion Indeed, teen pregnancy has become a worldwide setback. It affects the family and may have adverse effects to the other aspects of the society. HHS programs have been launched and implemented to help curb the rising incidence of unexpected pregnancies. A number of sectors, groups, and individuals have been mobilized. Techniques have collaborated with the education department, mass media, legislations, and others. Some examples of these programs are abstinence education programs, more financial support, efficient researches and more potent activisms. Principally, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act together with the Personal Responsibility Education Program has been commendable in providing contingencies for Native American adolescents. Through these legislations, the minority group has been more accessible and cooperative in lessening teen pregnancy in their tribe. Hence, future programs are likely to focus on marginalized populations such as foster care youth. Lastly, better techniques based on researches and other pertinent data will also be employed with cutting edge technology. References Colberg, J.O. (1997). Red light green light: Preventing teenage pregnancy. Toronto: Summer Kitchen Pr. Cornerstone Consulting Group, Inc. (2003). Three policy strategies central to preventing teen pregnancy. Teen Pregnancy: Policy’s Role in Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.chipolicy.org/pdf/TEEN_BRF1.pdf Department of Health and Human Services. (2002). Teen Pregnancy. Press Office. http://www.policyalmanac.org/health/archive/hhs_teenage_pregnancy.shtml Dunbar, B. (2010). Health and human services takes on teen pregnancy. Parenting in Politics. Retrieved from http://www.examiner.com/article/health-and-human-services-takes-on-teen-pregnancy Family and youth services bureau. (2013). Teen Pregnancy. Administration for Children and Families. Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/ Immell, M. (2002). Contemporary issues companion-Teen pregnancy. Farmington Hills, MI: Green Haven Press. Langbille, D.B. (2007). Teenage pregnancy: Trends, contributing factors and the physicians’ role. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 176: 1601-1605. Mathematica Policy Research. (2012). Teen Pregnancy. Review Protocol. Retrieved from http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/oah-initiatives/tpp/eb-programs-review.pdf Teenage Pregnancy Organization. (2010). Teen pregnancy and education. Why it matters. Vermont Human and Health Services. Waterbury, VT: Planning Division. Vinovskis, M.A. (1981). An epidemic of adolescent pregnancy? Some historical considerations. Journal of Family History, 205-230. Read More