RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Down With Teen Pregnancy, Up With Mobility
JF North Carolina Medical Journal
JO N C Med J
FD North Carolina Institute of Medicine
SP 388
OP 393
DO 10.18043/ncm.77.6.388
VO 77
IS 6
A1 Dobbins, Christopher C.
A1 Kenney, Brittain N.
A1 Meier, Carrie E.
A1 Taormina, Velma V.
YR 2016
UL http://www.ncmedicaljournal.com/content/77/6/388.abstract
AB Unintended pregnancies are typically associated with poor health outcomes for mothers and babies, and they also limit the social mobility of women and their families. Gaston County has achieved great success in reducing both teen pregnancies and unintended pregnancies among low-income women through the Gaston Youth Connected project and the local health department's push to increase accessibility to long-acting reversible contraception. Reductions in the racial disparities in teen pregnancy rates, higher graduation rates for females, and fewer pregnancies among low-income women all indicate a potential for better reproductive health to increase the social mobility of Gaston County women. The ability to clearly connect health outcomes to long-term social improvements helps create sustainable community buy-in and should be a priority in public health initiatives.