Sonoma County Finds Success With Teen Pregnancy Programs Focused On Contraception And Education
The county has seen a dramatic decline in teen birth rates, although the problem is still pervasive in some areas.
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Teen Birth Rates Continue To Decline In Sonoma County
In Sonoma County, the birth rate for Latina teens was 18.2 births per 1,000 teens, compared to 3.4 births for white teens during the three-year period from 2015-2017. But for the period between 2000-2002, Latina teens had 76.5 births per 1,000 teens and white teens had a birth rate of 13.6. ...While the county’s overall teen birth rate has declined dramatically, rates continue to be high in certain areas, such as Santa Rosa’s Roseland neighborhood, said Kembly Mahiri, a supervising social worker for Teen Parent Connections, a program with the county Department of Health Services that helps teen moms and pregnant teens graduate from high school and further their education to become more self-sufficient. (Espinoza, 5/9)
In other public health news —
San Jose Mercury News:
Contra Costa County Sues Drug Makers Over Opioid Epidemic
Contra Costa County is among 30 California counties suing pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors for their role in creating a widespread opioid epidemic. The lawsuit filed by Contra Costa County seeks reimbursement of taxpayer funds that have been spent responding to the opioid epidemic in the county and for ongoing costs, such as emergency response for overdoses, prevention, monitoring and treatment. (Sciacca, 5/9)