Teen pregnancy and teen birth rates have steadily declined since 2008, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the number of teen pregnancy cases in the US is still nine times higher than in other developed countries. This lays the ground for the government to initiate concrete actions to contain teenage pregnancy rate at a standstill.
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| Image Source: at-risk.org |
In January 2011, New York City launched a program dispensing free prescription contraceptives, including the emergency contraceptive pill called Plan B, to students in a number of public high schools.
The Department of Health and Human Services restricted the over-the-counter distribution of the morning-after pill to girls younger than 17. However, the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) ascertained that the drug is safe and effective for younger girls, and that they’re also capable of using Plan B properly, without the help of doctors. Consequently, following a judge’s decision to rule out age restrictions for those purchasing Plan B, pharmacies are now free to dispense the pill to “all females of child-bearing potential,” even without a prescription.
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| Image Source: plannedparenthood.tumblr.com |
While some experts disagree with the judge’s ruling, others see it as an opportunity to increase awareness on safe sex, teen pregnancy, and health. Dr. Daniel Grossman, vice president of research at Ibis Reproductive Health, hopes that the judge’s ruling will “increase access to all modes of contraceptives, including an eventual over-the-counter availability for daily birth control.”
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| Image Source: drugwatch.com |
Dr. Cristian Andronic is a board-certified ob-gyn. This Facebook page shares more helpful resources about pregnancy.
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