Babies Born Healthy Births To Adolescents Definition: Births to rate per 1,000 women who are 15-19 years of age Source: Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Maryland Annual Vital Statistics Reports 2011-2013 Significance Analysis Teen moms are less likely to finish high Except in Kent County, births to teens have school and achieve gainful and equitable generally decreased between 2011 and 2013. employment than women who postpone Kent County has the lowest rate of births to childbirth until after age 19. Children born teens ages 15-19 and their rate is below the to teen moms are challenged as well, with Maryland average. Dorchester has the higher risks of infant mortality, low birth highest rate in the tri-county area where in weight, premature birth, and developmental 2012, nearly half (46.6) of all births were to delays. Also, children of adolescent parents adolescents. Note: Dorchester had two have a greater chance of living in a births to women under age 15 in 2012. household where earnings are at or below Caroline had 1 in 2011. poverty level. Indicator: HEALTH Result Area: Early Prenatal Care Babies Born Healthy
Babies Born Healthy Births To Adolescents Definition: Births to rate per 1,000 women who are 15-19 years of age Source: Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Maryland Annual Vital Statistics Reports 2011-2013 Significance Teen moms are less likely to finish high school and achieve gainful and equitable employment than women who postpone childbirth until after age 19. Children born to teen moms are challenged as well, with higher risks of infant mortality, low birth weight, premature birth, and developmental delays. Also, children of adolescent parents have a greater chance of living in a household where earnings are at or below poverty level. Analysis Except in Kent County, births to teens have generally decreased between 2011 and 2013. Kent County has the lowest rate of births to teens ages 15-19 and their rate is below the Maryland average. Dorchester has the highest rate in the tri-county area where in 2012, nearly half (46.6) of all births were to adolescents. Note: Dorchester had two births to women under age 15 in 2012. Caroline had 1 in 2011. HEALTH Result Area: Babies Born Healthy Indicator: Early Prenatal Care
Caroline-Needs-Assessment-FINAL.docx