Teen Moms Struggle to get their Kids to School Regularly
The DataHUB reveals that almost 1 in 4 children in our chronically-absent cohort was born to a teenage mother. And 27% of their moms had delayed prenatal care, which itself correlates with teen motherhood.
"Pediatricians who provide care for pregnant and parenting teens and their children know that THE single most important thing we can do for their health is to keep them in school, and to help them support their children's school success. The RI Alliance's strategic plan is designed to engage diverse partners in a collaborative effort to prevent teen pregnancy and to empower young families. We understand the frighteningly close relationship between poverty and health in our society. Early school failure puts both the parents and children of teen mothers at significant risk. Focusing our attention on preventing chronic absenteeism in kindergarten will help to put vulnerable youth and their children on a path to educational success."
-- Dr. Patricia J. Flanagan, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at Brown University, and Chief of Clinical Affairs at Hasbro Children's Hospital
