“You do not see a decrease in teen pregnancy for African-American teenagers until you reach a critical mass of African-American teacher representation,” Wilkins said. “We identified 17.6 percent as the tipping point where the percentage of African-American teachers started to significantly lower the African-American teen pregnancy rate.” The report builds on former research that has shown how minority representation can improve circumstances for a particular group or community . Researchers have found that “proportional representation creates new avenues of political power for people of color and the poor, two groups traditionally denied fair access to power in this country.” Wilkins and Atkins found that African-American teachers not only served as positive role models, but also contributed to a more comfortable environment for minority students with regard to non-educational circumstances. Both male and female students asked teachers for advice on relationships or premarital sex, leading to frank and honest discussions.
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Snoring in Pregnancy Tied to Possible Health Concerns
Yet, the local economic impact of teenaged childbearing is $38 million annually, Shutz explained, and it costs Oklahoma taxpayers at least $190 million a year. It also takes a toll on the workforce. The statistics are staggering, said Dr. Cathy Burden, former superintendent of Union Public Schools. Citing the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, she said only 40 percent of teenaged mothers complete high school, and less than 2 percent complete college by the age of 30. A high school diploma is the minimum preparation for a career, Burden noted. Also, teen birth sets a cycle in motion for generational poverty, she added. The children born to teen moms are 50 percent more likely to have to repeat a grade, and they are far less likely to complete high school than the children of older moms, said Burden. Also, she said that almost none of the children identified for gifted programs were born to teenaged parents. As a business owner and Tulsan, I care deeply about the economic prosperity of Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma. We know that teen pregnancy impacts a teens ability to progress through school, which limits their future employment opportunities, said Mocha. The state and regions comparatively high teen birth rate contributes to shortage of skilled labor he said he and other business leaders need to grow. Teen pregnancy in Oklahoma demands action, said Burden. Hence the campaign in question, which uses a four-pronged approach to preventing teen pregnancy: public awareness, education and community capacity building, clinic and health center building, as well as updating and improving access to teen birth data. Talk to your kids emerged as an oft-repeated message from campaign organizers, though. The majority of teens polled report that their parents are the most powerful influence on them, yet only a third of teens report that their parents are talking to them about sex and pregnancy prevention, said Dr. Rupa Silva, a physician specializing in adolescent gynecology. She also explained that prevalent neurological research shows that the frontal lobe of the human brainwhich controls decision-making and impulsivity and cognition of consequences, doesnt fully develop until people reach their early 20s. Teens look like adults, but they arent acting like adults, she said. We need to be that part of our teenagers brain. Education is the key, added Burden. During her time at Union Public Schools, Burden implemented the Carrera program, which she described as a research-tested method proven to be effective around the country at preventing teen pregnancy. The program was developed in 1984 by Dr.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://tulsabusiness.com/newsletter/teen-pregnancy-prevention-campaign-launches-in-tulsa/article_1d422d8e-470e-11e3-96be-0019bb2963f4.html
Teen pregnancy prevention campaign launches in Tulsa
A previous study led by O’Brien found that women who begin snoring during pregnancy are at high risk for high blood pressure and preeclampsia — a condition in which a pregnant woman experiences sharp rises in blood pressure along with protein in her urine and other symptoms. Snoring is a key sign of obstructive sleep apnea, which can be treated using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). “Millions of health care dollars are spent on operative deliveries, taking care of babies who are admitted to the NICU [neonatal intensive care unit] and treating secondary health problems that smaller babies are at risk for when grown,” O’Brien said. “If we can identify risks during pregnancy that can be treated, such as obstructive sleep apnea, we can reduce the incidence of small babies, C-sections and possibly NICU admission that not only improve long- term health benefits for newborns but also help keep costs down,” she said.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.philly.com/philly/health/topics/HealthDay681674_20131105_Snoring_in_Pregnancy_Tied_to_Possible_Health_Concerns.html
Martini’s Persistence & A Smile 