First Births to Mothers, Age 20+, with at Least 12 Years of Education

Measure

Number and percent of first births to Georgia residents who are at least 20 years old and have graduated high school.


Why is this indicator important?

Women who delay childbirth until they are age 20 or older are more likely to receive prenatal care and have children with fewer health problems. The educational level of mothers is strongly linked to children's enrollment in early learning programs and their preparedness for school.


How are we doing in Hall County?

• In Georgia, the number of first births to mothers, age 20 or older, with 12 years of education has remained fairly constant since 1994.  Hall County's numbers in this area have fluctuated between 48.6% (low in 2005) to 55.4% (high in 1994).  In 2007 in Hall County, less than 55% of first births were to mothers age 20 or older, with 12 years of education.
• There were 605 first births in Hall County in 2007 to mothers age 20 or older.  Almost half of these first-time mothers have 12 (or more) years of education.
• The percentage of first births to mothers age 20 or older with 12 years of education in Hall County in 2007 was 54.8%, compared to the state percentage of 66.9%.

What does research tell us we can do to improve this indicator?

• Promote home visitation programs that continue to educate families and provide current information about health, child development, and school readiness, and connect them to critical services

• Offer community-based parenting programs that provide parents with training, support, and strategies for effective child rearing

• Educate teens about the benefits of postponing child rearing