• Rochester has taken steps to address the historically high rates of teen pregnancy and teen birth; but the problem is not solved.  In the City of Rochester, about 8% of girls, ages 15 to 19, give birth each year; down from about 13% in 1990.

• There is a wide disparity between City and suburbs.  In the suburban towns in Monroe County, 1% of girls, ages 15 to 19, give birth each year.

• 672 babies were born to teen mothers (ages 10 to 19) in 2007 in the City of Rochester.  In September 2012, these children will fill 26 kindergartens classrooms. 

• 19% of the total number of babies born in Rochester in 2005 were born to teen mothers, ages 10 to 19. 

• As compared to Western Europe, adolescents in the United States have higher rates of teen pregnancy, teen birth, abortion, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.  Feijoo, A, Adolescent Sexual Health in Europe and the U.S. – Why the Difference, Advocates for Youth, 2001.

• It is estimated that the annual cost to taxpayers associated with teen birth in New York State is $421 million.  Teen mothers and their partners earn less than their peers who delay childbirth for a few years, but the problems of teen birth are intergenerational.  Children of teen parents are more likely to receive public assistance and foster care, have trouble in school, to be incarcerated and to earn less income as adults.   Hoffman, S., By the Numbers, The Public Cost of Teen Childbearing, National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 2006. 

• The most consistent “protective factor” for young people in avoiding risky behaviors is a positive parent-child relationship.  Beuhring T, Blum R, Protecting Teens, Beyond Race, Income and Family Structure, based on data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, Center for Adolescent Health, Univ. of Minnesota, 2000