Modified: May 9, 2017 9:33am
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PRESS RELEASE
From the Office of the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gale R. Burstein
Date: May 9, 2017
CONTACT: Mary C. St. Mary/Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov
Phone: 716.858.4941/ Mobile: 716.253.3925
National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
Nationwide Effort to Educate Teens to Make Informed Choices
ERIE COUNTY, NY—May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, a time to recognize the declines in teen pregnancy we have achieved and highlight the disparities that continue. Teen pregnancy in Buffalo is higher than many other communities in New York State. Through U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Adolescent Health funding, the Erie County Department of Health (“ECDOH”) and CAI (Cicatelli Associates Inc.) have partnered with local organizations in the HOPE Buffalo initiative. HOPE Buffalo is a youth and community-led collaborative of diverse stakeholders, teens, and adults, working together to promote equitable access to high-quality and comprehensive sexuality education and reproductive health services. Our aim is to reduce teen pregnancy in Buffalo by 30% over five years among females ages 15 to 19.
“For our efforts to be successful and truly community-led, youth, parents and other concerned residents must be engaged in our efforts to reduce teen pregnancy rates,” said Dr. Gale Burstein, Erie County Commissioner of Health (“ECDOH”). “It is in everyone’s best interests to support the efforts of ECDOH and the HOPE Buffalo collaboration as we strive to build a sense of purpose and hope for the future in our youth.”
In Erie County, we are fortunate to have numerous community-based organizations and clinics working diligently to reduce teen pregnancy rates. However, much more work remains to be done,” stated Burstein. “HOPE Buffalo is working to teach teen the knowledge and skills necessary to make healthy, informed decisions about relationships and sex, allowing them to stay engaged in school.”
To aid in the effort to reduce teen pregnancies, ECDOH provides confidential, non-judgmental reproductive services and comprehensive information about contraceptive options at their Family Planning Center (608 William Street, Buffalo) for both teens and adults. The Family Planning Center is teen-friendly, offers both appointments and walk-in appointments. The Center is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and can be reached at (716) 858-2779.
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For More Information:
Erie County Department of Health Family Planning Center
Erie County Department of Health Teen Wellness
American Academy of Pediatrics HealthyChildren.org
National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
New York State Department of Health