PROBLEM
STATEMENT: All adolescents have the right to receive information
and resources
to enable them to become responsible young adults by limiting risk-taking
behavior and making sound decisions. Currently, the city of Wilmington
has a teen pregnancy rate almost three times that of the rest of
the state. Sexually transmitted diseases and repeat births among
adolescents also are significantly higher than in other areas in
Delaware. Concurrent problems, such as lack of prenatal care, low
birth weight babies/infant mortality, and racial/neighborhood disparities
all figure keenly into teen pregnancy prevention. Key to the issue
is to encourage youth to consider responsible sexual behavior an
essential component of growing up in the city of Wilmington.
GOAL: Promote responsible sexual behavior in order to reduce
pregnancy and decrease the risk of sexually transmitted diseases
among Wilmington teens.
By 2010, decrease the
numbers of live births to teens ages 15-19 in Wilmington from
142.9/1000 to 88.6/1000 and reduce the percentage of births
to teens in Wilmington from 42% to 35%.
By 2010, decrease the
rate of teens ages 15-19 with sexually transmitted diseases
(gonorrhea, primary or secondary syphilis, or chlamydia) from
3.4% to 2%.
By 2010, reduce the
percentage of teen births which are second and subsequent
births from 25% in the city of Wilmington to 21%.
By 2010, increase the
number of teens in Wilmington who report that they practice
abstinence and the number of sexually active teens in Wilmington
who use condoms.
HOW CAN WE GET THERE:
Business Provide individuals and program support to develop and
maintain a city-wide mentoring program throughout Wilmington.
Community The Wilmington Teen Pregnancy Prevention Roundtable will
work with community resources, including community centers,
faith-based organizations, parish nurses, the local media,
and support groups to meet the goals of decreasing teen pregnancy,
infant mortality, low birth weight infants, and rates of sexually
transmitted diseases.
Health Care Health care agencies will generate a health initiative
directed towards educating young people about responsible
sexual behavior.
Education Educational agencies will collaborate with health care
providers and policy makers to ensure that school nurses and
wellness centers are available to provide health services
to students.
Government Teen pregnancy prevention advocates will encourage policy
makers to explore facilitating and funding life option strategies
which provide alternatives for education and careers for the
adolescents of Wilmington, including summer and after school
programming.
resources
to 
enable them to become responsible young adults by limiting risk-taking
behavior and making sound decisions. Currently, the city of Wilmington
has a teen pregnancy rate almost three times that of the rest of
the state. Sexually transmitted diseases and repeat births among
adolescents also are significantly higher than in other areas in
Delaware. Concurrent problems, such as lack of prenatal care, low
birth weight babies/infant mortality, and racial/neighborhood disparities
all figure keenly into teen pregnancy prevention. Key to the issue
is to encourage youth to consider responsible sexual behavior an
essential component of growing up in the city of Wilmington.