Our Picture of Health 1998:
Focusing on Community Health to the Year 2000CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
PREGNANCY AND BIRTH
37. Percent Births to Mothers Who Smoke
The Healthy People 2000 goal is that 60% of pregnant smokers stop smoking during the pregnancy.
Since 1992, the number of pregnant smokers has stayed the same — about 22% of pregnant women smoke.
Smoking during pregnancy retards fetal growth and is associated with an increased incidence of low-weight births, prematurity, miscarriage, stillbirths, sudden infant death syndrome, and infant mortality.
May link to . . .
- Lung Cancer
- Low-weight Births
- COPD (Lung Disease)
- Children's Education
Figure 7-7: Percent of All Babies Born to Mothers Who Smoke
Source: Colorado Vital Statistics, 1996
38. Teenage Births
The Healthy People 2000 goal is to reduce pregnancies among girls aged 17 and younger to no more than 50 per 1,000 adolescents in that age group.
Mesa County has been well within this goal for years. The majority of teen births in Mesa County are to older teens. (see Figure 7-10).
Teenage pregnancy, identified as one of Mesa County's top five health priorities in 1995, continues to be an area of concern in 1998. Since adolescents are becoming sexually active at an ever-younger age, prevention and intervention education programs need to begin earlier and be comprehensive.
May link to . . .
- Education
- Social support
- Economics
Figure 7-8: 15-19 Year-old Birth Rate Compared to State and Nation, 1992-96
Source: Colorado Vital Statistics, 1996
Between 1992 and 1996, the percent of babies born to teenage mothers has essentially remained the same, approximately 17%. Families are the bedrock of our society, and it is in families that children are nurtured, provided for, and educated. Very young parents or single mothers face more challenges than two parent families.
Caution should be used in looking at these figures as percentages may also vary because of population shifts.
May link to . . .
- Education
- Social support
- Economics
Figure 7-9: Percent of Births to Teen Mothers, 15-19 Year-Olds
Source: Colorado Vital Statistics, 1992-1996
Figure 7-10 shows the age of teens who delivered in Mesa County. The majority of births are to 18-19 year-olds.
The emergence of births to 13-14 year-olds is of special concern. These girls are often in middle school. In the past two years Mesa County has, for the first time, seen an increase in this age group giving birth. In 1996, six girls under 15 years old gave birth.
May link to . . .
- Low-weight Births
- Dropout Rates
- Economy
- Child Abuse
Figure 7-10: Mesa County Teen Birth Rate
Source: Colorado Vital Statistics, 1992-1996
Next