The latest CDC report shows teen birth rates dropped in the United States in 2009. Some members of Lubbock’s Board of Health say they are concerned that local numbers are still too high. Texas ranks third in the nation in teen birth rates and Lubbock is among the worst in the state, with roughly 350 teens pregnant in Lubbock schools.
The Lubbock Health Board reveals that this problem is a little more complicated and not getting better. The board is discussing ideas to help educate teens in the New Year. They include reaching out to teens by social media by making an official Facebook page for the health department.
"Certainly the demographics of 13 to 30 year olds are the very people that we most need to reach to offer education to offer direction to resources. So it's a perfect medium. It's open 24/7. The cost of it would be very minimal, but I can appreciate when one wants to try something new, Lubbock is typically not the place to do it," said Dr. Brian Carr.
However, several board members, including Dr. Brian Carr, feel that city officials limit what they do and do not want to say about certain health issues affecting Lubbock. Carr believes that the city is preventing the health department from discussing controversial subjects that might cast Lubbock in a negative light. Subjects such as teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, areas where Lubbock has exceeded the state average for more than a decade.
In a statement, Mayor Tom Martin said:
"The use of a city Facebook page to teach sex education is not appropriate. Use of social media to teach sex education invariably gets into issues of religion and parental responsibility and rights, and that is not the role of city government.”
After reviewing the existing Lubbock City Facebook policy, Carr believes that creating and maintaining an informative health department Facebook page would be impossible.
"I think our leadership, the mayor and city council have an opportunity to really step beyond themselves; to do something for the citizens of Lubbock. To bring whatever method we can to improve the health of our community, and know that sometimes when you stand, you will take some heat for that,” said Carr.
Carr has set up an unofficial Facebook page called “Lubbock Wellness.” It serves as a line of communication for concerned citizens who believe in comprehensive sex education.
