Texas experienced its first increase in the teen birth rate in 2022 after 15 years of decline, according to new birth certificate data just released by the CDC.

• Texas teen birth rate increased 0.4%, the first increase since 2007.
• The teen birth rate per 1,000 teens aged 15-19 in Texas rose from 20.3 in 2021 to 20.4 in 2022.
• Concerningly, disparities in birth rates among Black and Hispanic teens worsened.
• In contrast, the U.S. teen birth rate continued to decrease in 2022.
• Preliminary data from the CDC suggest that the Texas teen birth rate will begin to decline again in 2023.
  

Furthermore, we're pleased to share a new statewide fact sheet, now accessible here. Stay tuned as our online data tools and county-level fact sheets receive updates soon to provide a deeper dive into these critical statistics.

In October, Healthy Futures of Texas (HFTX) hosted its first-ever "Hispanic Heritage Month LinkedIn Live" event. Moderated by Yulieth Botello, news anchor for Telemundo 40 in McAllen/RGV, the panel featured esteemed representatives from HFTX and Project Vida, addressing pressing issues like unintended teen pregnancy, STIs, and HIV, particularly among Hispanic teens.

We also explored the unique Texas mandate for public schools, requiring an "opt-in" policy, which demands written parental permission for sexual health and abuse prevention instruction. This is unlike the more common "opt-out" policy, where students are automatically enrolled. Texas is one of only five states with an opt-in policy for sexual health education and the sole state requiring parent opt-in for abuse prevention instruction.

To access all the insights from this engaging event, be sure to read more here.