1. Why Focus on Latinas?: One in two Latina teens (51 percent) get pregnant at least once before age 20 The Latina teen pregnancy rate is declining at about half the pace of both non- Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black teens Latinas have the highest teen birth rate of any major ethnic/racial minority in the United States By 2025, one-quarter of all teens will be Latino. National Campaign Latino Initiative: Helping Latino Communities Reduce Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. (2008, January). The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Retrieved December 2, 2008, from http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/espanol/PDF/latino_initiativeabout2008.pdf Introduction: The United States continues to have one of the highest teen pregnancy rates among industrialized nations and Latinos are leading the pack with the highest rate of all ethnic groups. The Latino population is the largest minority group in the United States and is the fastest growing; Latinos now make up 14 percent of the population. The reasons why young Latinas are getting pregnant at a higher rate then their non-Latino peers are both complicated and numerous. It is imperative that this country place particular emphasis on Latina teen pregnancy because whatever happens to this community will undoubtedly affect the entire nation. Ways to Reach Teens Today: Understand that today’s teens are growing up in a highly technological world and address teen pregnancy issues through a wide range of media outlets: TelevisionTelevision Myspace/FacebookMyspace/Facebook YouTubeYouTube Cell PhonesCell Phones Public service announcementsPublic service announcements RadioRadio Community centersCommunity centers What is Being Done?: The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy launched the Latino Initiative in March of 2007 to increase national attention to and action on teen pregnancy among Latinos. Goals include – Build strong partnerships. Assessing current research related to teen pregnancy and prevention. Enhance outreach efforts Young Latinas in Film: Quinceañera 2006 This film is about a 14 year girl, the daughter of a very religious Mexican- American family living in California, who is anxiously awaiting her 15th birthday. But a few months before her birthday celebration, she is devastated to find out she is pregnant. Soon, she is abandoned by her family and later her boyfriend, kicked out of her families’ home, and forced to move in with a distant relative. The film follows this young girl as she struggles with clashing cultural norms, adolescence, and teen pregnancy. Made by: Erica Moreno & Jessica Montás http://www.wou.edu/~emoreno/ED_42 1_WEB_PAGE/Migrant_Health.html Recommendations: Provide programs that are culturally and linguistically appropriate Include parents, teens, and the community in the planning, implementing and evaluating the program Engage the faith communities Address the gender roles that exist within the Latino culture Makes programs convenient for everyone involved (i.e. times, transportation, child care, food/refreshments, etc.) Establish peer mentoring programs and connect teens with positive role models Outcomes & Consequences: The outcomes of teen pregnancy among Latinas in this country have repercussions not only for present generations, but for those that follow as well. 2/3 more likely to never finish high school Young Latinas who are unprepared and unqualified for the competitive job market More likely to raise child in poverty More likely to end up on welfare Additional challenges for the child Vexler, E., & Sullentrop, K. (2006, January). How Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs Can Better Serve Latino Youth. In The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Retrieved November 20, 2008, from http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/pdf/pubs/BridgingEng_FINAL.pdf