Issues
- More than 60% of high school seniors have had sexual intercourse.3
- Youth ages 15-24 account for almost half of new sexually transmitted infection cases in South Carolina.
- Three out of 10 young women will become pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20.3
- Births to young mothers cost South Carolina taxpayers $156 million annually.
- South Carolina has the 8th highest AIDS case rate.5
- Title X funded clinics are required to maintain the “patient-physician confidentiality that is crucial for providing timely, appropriate services.” Nearly two-thirds of Title X patients have household incomes below the poverty level, and 60% are less than 25 years of age.8
As a community, we must acknowledge and address the fundamental issues that underlie these numbers. We can then work together to build capacity, on both local and statewide levels, to promote the healthy development of our young citizens.