Media Advisory: Southern Nevada Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition Hosts Community Leaders’ Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 31, 2014

WHAT: The Southern Nevada Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition is hosting a forum to bring community leaders together to address strategies to reduce teen pregnancy rates as a means of improving the state’s health status, strengthening education and workforce competitiveness and reducing taxpayer costs.

WHEN: Thursday, August 7, 2014
5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

WHERE: North Las Vegas City Hall
City Council Chambers
2250 Las Vegas Blvd N.
North Las Vegas, NV 89030

WHY: Teen pregnancy rates and birth rates are at historic lows and impressive progress has been made in all 50 states. However, Nevada remains in the top 10 for highest teen pregnancy rates. In 2010, Nevada’s teen pregnancy rate was 68 pregnancies per 1,000 teen girls (age 15-19), costing $68 million in public spending. In 2013, the percent of all high school students in Nevada that have ever had sex was 43.8 percent. Studies show that teen parents are more likely to experience personal and social hardships, have lower school achievement, face multiple pregnancies, earn less income as adults, and raise a child alone.

WHO: The mission of the Southern Nevada Teen Pregnancy Coalition is to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and infections among the youth of Southern Nevada through education, training, advocacy, and increased access to services. The coalition’s vision is a society that empowers youth to make health and responsible decisions, and a community that empowers youth to be productive contributors to society.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.