A new report shows that births to teen mothers cost the state of South Carolina an astounding $180 million every year — a number advocacy groups say can be significantly lowered by properly funding prevention programs.
Tell Them, a grassroots program of New Morning Foundation, and the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy joined forces to study the economic impact of teen pregnancy and how this public health issue is affecting the state’s budget.
“People have long understood the social implications of teen pregnancy — its impact on high school dropout rates, poverty, the welfare system, child abuse and even crime,” said Brandi Parrish Ellison, associate director of New Morning Foundation. “But today it is the financial repercussions this issue has on a state already in budget crisis that is even more alarming.”
These are the facts:
• Nationally, teen childbearing costs taxpayers $9.1 billion a year.
• South Carolina ranks 8th highest in the country in pregnancy rates among 15-to-19 year-olds.
• There were more than 88,000 births to South Carolina teens in the last 10 years.
• The cost to taxpayers is estimated at $1.8 billion, or upwards of $180 million every year
Advocates say the good news is that teen pregnancy is a problem officials know how to solve. Research shows that each tax dollar invested in programs to prevent unintended pregnancy saves $17 over five years. With a documented 17:1 return on investment, prevention is a solution that can bring tremendous cost savings to taxpayers and help South Carolina be a healthier, more prosperous state.
Admittedly, there is much debate over the kinds of programs government should provide. But one thing advocates agree on is that the state’s limited resources must be allocated to strategies proven to work. The report points to the successes of programs that provide comprehensive sex education and access to family planning services — an approach supported by 81 percent of registered voters in South Carolina .
“The political environment today has lawmakers on the hot seat. But the debate has to be about the quality of the investment and not simply the quantity of cuts. Preventing teen pregnancy is an area that can reap substantial dividends in the long run and improve the lives of our young citizens,” said Forrest Alton, CEO of the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.
For a copy of the report, “Do you know what you’re spending on teen pregnancy?” please visit www.tellthemsc.org. Advocates are also inviting concerned citizens to sign an on-line petition and participate in a rally at the Statehouse on Wednesday, March 30, 2011.