FRESNO, CA --Although the birth rate for teens aged 15–19 declined 9% from 2015 to 2016, to 20.3 births per 1,000 women, and has declined 51% since 2007 according to the Natality Data File from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), birth rates are still higher among Hispanic and black adolescents than among their white counterparts.
Momjunction.com reports that not only are 85% of teen pregnancies unplanned, but 70 percent out of 100 African-American teens stated that improper communication between them and their parents is a huge cause of teenage pregnancy.
However the alarming fact remains according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that out of 3,941,109 babies born in 2016, just under 7 percent of white babies weighed too little at birth, compared to 13.7 percent of African-American babies.
Because Fresno County's African-American population experiences an infant mortality rate of 25.3 per 1,000 live births compared to a rate of 8.1 per 1,000 live births for white residents, the local branch of the Black Infant Health Program (Fresno BIH) is urging black mothers to seek help immediately with them before or during their pregnancies.
Fresno BIH's massive social media campaign to outreach to expecting mothers has included sharing the stories of mothers from a range of ages who entered their program and were able to utilize their many available resources.
Part 3 of Special Reality Palm' s Story is featuring this week, reaching out to young mothers, having children in their teens and early twenties. Palm does not hold back in telling her story of the public shame she had to endure among her peers and family; however, she was quickly able to cope and become the strong mother she is today with the help of the Fresno Black Infant Health Program.
Stay tuned to the following week to hear part 4, the conclusion of Palm's enduring story.
Watch Special Reality Palm's Story Part 3 below where she continues to share her empowering story of her journey as a young mother to be.
Or, watch Palm's story and others from the beginning at the below playlist:
Find more facts and pregnancy educational tips on the Fresno BIH program here!