Reproductive Health communication between Parents and Adolescents falls short

Despite the impact of peer influences on sexual behavior, parents are the best educators for their children. Research indicates that children prefer such information from their parents/legal guardians. However, teens are more likely to share feelings about sex with their friends versus parents. Nationally, nearly half (46%) of all 15 – 19 year olds have had sex at least once. Black teens have the highest teen pregnancy rate (134 per 1,000 ages 15 – 19), followed by Hispanics (131 per 1, 1000) and non Hispanic Whites (48 per 1,000).

Locally in Texas, between 1996 and 2003 the teen pregnancy rate declined 37% in Harris County and 32% statewide. In 2003, Black teens in Texas were more than twice as likely as White teens to give birth; and Hispanic teens were more than 3.5 times as likely as their white peers to give birth. Awareness is paramount.

Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) adopted Let's Talk Month sponsored by Advocates for Youths. Celebrated in October, this national education campaign supports families and communities to implement activities encouraging parent/child communication about sexuality. HDHHS initiated programming at Lyons Health Center which has a disproportionate teen population accessing services for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancies. Based upon this success and on-going community needs, Let's Talk Month will expand to Kashmere High School (and feeder pattern) in the Houston Independent School District. Once slated for closure, this school has developed internal and external partnerships to significantly increase test scores, appropriate school behavior and social interactions.