Group hopes to reduce teen pregnancy rates in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — More than 4,000 babies are born to Oklahoma teens every year, according to numbers from the state health department.

May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month. FOX 25 talked with the teen pregnancy prevention supervisor at the Oklahoma City-County Health Department about the work being done to address the issue.

"The data reflects that Oklahoma ranks second worst in the nation," Linsey Garlington said.

Her department, along with five partners, are working together to bring the numbers down in central Oklahoma.

"I think a big piece of that is education and that's a big part that we work on," Garlington said.

She said there are different curricula depending on the group of teens they are working with. The lessons generally focus on abstinence, contraceptives, relationship empowerment, and/or teen-friendly medical centers.

The group has a goal to decrease teen pregnancy rates in the county one-third, by 2020. Garlington said they've nearly already reached that goal.

Thrive, one of the central Oklahoma partners, has several resources available online. For teen resources, click here. For parent resources, click here.