Bozeman Magazine

In Montana, 28.8 out of every 1000 teen girls (age 15-19) became pregnant in 2012.  Since 1991, the teen birth rate has declined by 38%.  The teen pregnancy rate, which includes all pregnancies rather than just those that resulted in a birth, has also fallen steeply. As of 2008 (the most recent data available), the rate was 59 pregnancies per 1,000 teen girls (age 15-19); some 1,990 teen pregnancies.  In 2008, public spending on teen childbearing in Montana totaled $29 million.

In 2012, the percent of sexually active high school students in Montana that reported using any method of contraception the last time they had sex was 91.5%. The percent of all high school students in Montana that have ever had sex was 47.9%.

When looking at women in Montana overall, not just teens, 50% of all pregnancies are described by women themselves as unplanned. In 2010, 35% of all births in Montana were Medicaid-funded.

About the National Campaign: The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy is a nonprofit, nonpartisan initiative supported almost entirely by private donations. The National Campaign seeks to improve the lives and future prospects of children and families and, in particular, to help ensure that children are born into stable, two-parent families who are committed to and ready for the demanding task of raising the next generation. Our specific strategy is to prevent teen pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy among single, young adults. We support a combination of responsible values and behavior by both men and women and responsible policies in both the public and private sectors. If we are successful, child and family well-being will improve. There will be less poverty, more opportunities for young men and women to complete their education or achieve other life goals, fewer abortions, and a stronger nation.
 
Why a National Day?  The extraordinary declines in teen pregnancy and childbearing over the past two decades prove that progress can be made on tough issues. In fact, few social problems have improved quite as dramatically over the past 20 years as teen pregnancy.
 
The latest news on the teen pregnancy front has been incredibly positive. This does not exclude Montana. Bridgercare programs like Teen Clinic, Peer Ed, and education in area schools and agencies are making a difference and teen pregnancy is declining.
 
Despite this progress, there is still much work to be done:
·   It is still the case that nearly three in 10 girls will get pregnant at least once before they turn 20, and that the rates in this country are far higher than other industrialized countries.
 
·   30% of teen girls who have dropped out of high school cite pregnancy/parenthood as a key reason. Only 40% of teen mothers finish high school, and less than 2% of those girls earn a college degree by age 30.
 
·   To keep teen pregnancy declining, adults, community leaders, and peers must help teens postpone their families until they are older, through school, and in stable, committed relationships.
 
Bridgercare Teen Clinic:  Bridgercare continues to support teens by offering a free, confidential, walk-in Teen clinic every Monday from 3:00 to 6:30pm.  STI testing, birth control, pregnancy testing, education, and preventative care are offered to teens.
 
About Bridgercare:  Bridgercare provides excellent, affordable reproductive and sexual healthcare and education in a safe, supportive, empowering atmosphere.  We are a non-profit, family planning clinic that provides services to men and women regardless of ability to pay.  We seek to improve the lives and future prospects of children and families. Our specific strategy is to prevent unplanned pregnancy and promote preventative health.  If we are successful, child and family well-being will improve.  Please visit www.bridgercare.org to find out more.
 
Bridgercare is a member of Montana Shares and the Montana Nonprofit Association.