Their numbers are surprising.
So is their resolve.

It may sound shocking, but there is a baby born to a teenage mother every 64 seconds in the United States. Here are a few more facts worth considering:

In 1998 there were 94 babies born to teenagers in Missoula County. 1
That number continues to rise. 2
Teens are less likely to get prenatal care. 3
They have a higher risk of exposure to tobacco and alcohol. 3
A higher risk of infant death. 3
A higher risk of low birth weight. 3
And the costs of caring for preemie babies continue to rise. 3

At-risk youth generally beget at-risk youth. When looking at the statistics of at-risk youth, it’s not hard to conclude a simple fact: this is a cycle. It is not just one group of kids faltering and making bad decisions. It works from generation to generation.

66% of teen moms have been sexually abused. 4
67% of the fathers are over 20 years old. 5
More than 50% are likely to have a second child within a year of having the first. 3

The most surprising statistic. So many teens want to succeed. But even some of the best-intentioned, hardest-working teens often can’t overcome circumstances. There are girls living in cars, living with friends, living on the street—they are survivors. But their babies are suffering.

The most important statistic. Birth outcomes of babies born to moms at Mountain Home are higher than average, due to better prenatal care and a safe living environment.

Sources. Many of the figures described here, unless otherwise noted, were gathered from the Department of Health and Human Services, and from the following sources: The At-Risk Assessment & Executive Summary; The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy; and local newspaper accounts of at-risk teens in western Montana. For article reprints or to learn more, please e-mail us. For a complete list of facts, risk factors, and statistics, click here. 

Footnotes:
1. Greg Oliver, as paraphrased in the Missoula Independent, May 6-13, 1999.
2. As referenced in “A Room for Baby,” by Ginny Merriam. The Missoulian, March 2, 1999.
3. Department of Health and Human Services.
4. Lois Reimers, Young Family Program, as referenced in “A Room for Baby,” by Ginny Merriam. The Missoulian, March 2, 1999.
5. National Center for Health Statistics.