In Wisconsin, Teen Childbearing Costs Taxpayers $156 Million

Green Bay has “one of the worst rates in the state”

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The costs of childbearing are greatest for younger teens. In Wisconsin, the average annual cost associated with a child born to a mother 17 and younger was $5,133.

These costs are being felt here in Brown County as well, where, unlike most of the state, teen pregnancy is on the rise, according to a report released in early October by the Brown County United Way. According to Sarah Inman, United Way community impact manager, this trend is especially prevalent in the Green Bay area.

“ Green Bay has one of the worst rates for teen pregnancy in the state,” Inman said. “ Our rate is higher than Madison’s, which is nearly twice our size.”

The report stated that 56 in 1000 women under 20 had children in 2004 in Green Bay. This figure increased to 61.8 per 1000 in 2005. Madison reported a rate of 22.4 per 1000 last year.

These statistics have not gone unnoticed by the Brown County United Way and other human services agencies in Brown County.

“The issue of teen pregnancy is complex, but this is a challenge that our entire community is working together to meet head on,” Inman said.

For more information on the report released by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy , see: By the Numbers: The Public Costs of Teen Childbearing .

For more information on the report released by the Brown County United Way, read the Children & Families Community Conditions Report.

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