Bristol Palin's Pregnancy Highlights the Prevalence of Teen Pregnancy

PRESS RELEASE
September 2, 2008

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Kay Phillips
919) 226-1880

Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina

Bristol Palin's Pregnancy Highlights the Prevalence of Teen Pregnancy
Every 28 minutes an NC teen becomes pregnant.

Durham -The revelation of the pregnancy of Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol, 17, brings the issue of teen pregnancy to the national forefront once more. "Our hearts go out to the Palin family as they deal with this difficult issue under a national spotlight," said Kay Phillips, Executive Director of the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina. "This issue is too common in America today and deserves a frank look at what we can do to help teens become adults without the fear of an early pregnancy." In North Carolina, a teen girl becomes pregnant every 28 minutes.

"This is an issue that can happen to anyone, anywhere; parents need to take this opportunity to speak to their children about sex and the consequences of sex. Teenaged mothers are less likely to complete high school and less likely to go on to college. If we are committed to building a better life for our daughters, we must provide them with information about sex and how to prevent becoming pregnant, either through abstinence or contraception."

For further information and statistics on teen pregnancy in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.appcnc.org or call (919) 226-1880 for information.

The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina (APPCNC) is a nonpartisan non-profit that works with health workers and those who work with teens to prevent teen pregnancy and promote better teen parenting skills. Its services include training, resources, advocacy and information as well as community mobilization. Its services are available to all 100 counties in North Carolina.