Missouri university launches teen pregnancy prevention program

The SPOT, a teen health clinic at the Washington University (WU) Medical Center, has started working on reducing the rate of teen pregnancies in Missouri. Katie Plax, medical director at the center, led the transformation of The SPOT, which now houses a foster care program designed to benefit girls who are at risk of unplanned pregnancies.

Within 30 days of joining, each girl will be given a full health assessment, allowing physicians to diagnose any physical or emotional problems patients may have developed, according to the university's website. Regular appointments will help increase the access of healthcare for these teenagers, who typically don't have a primary care physician.

Participants will also meet with staff who specialize in sexual health to discuss the importance of safe sex, help prevent involvement in risky behavior and teach about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Furthermore, the girls will watch videos that display the consequences of teenage pregnancies.

"We will use a proven program with these young women to help them prevent unwanted pregnancies and reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases," said Plax, quoted by the website.

In 2002, approximately 757,000 pregnancies in the U.S. occurred among girls aged 15 to 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.