Norman and Mahnonmen counties among highest in Minnesota for teenage pregnancy
Nov. 24—POLK COUNTY, Minn. — Norman County and Mahnomen County have some of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in Minnesota, according to the 2023 Minnesota Adolescent Sexual Health Report.
The latest report is the first look at teen pregnancy rates after the pandemic. While both counties have some of the highest rates of pregnancies for those between the ages of 15 and 19, teen pregnancies across Minnesota are down 71% since 1990. The 10 counties with the highest teenage pregnancy rate are all located in greater Minnesota. Mahnomen County also has one of the highest rates of chlamydia among the 15-19 age group.
"Mahnomen County generally is high, whether it be STI or pregnancy rates," said Amy Van Den Einde, a nurse who works with Polk County Public Health and does educational outreach for reproductive and sexual health. "We work across all three counties so that we can cover (all the area) because it is a lot of area."
Overall, rates of sexually transmitted infections are down after a pandemic peak, but according to the report's summary, researchers are just beginning to understand the effects that the pandemic had on youth health.
The Polk County Public Health and Norman-Mahnomen Public Health partner together to form Polk-Norman-Mahnomen Community Health Services, which provides regional planning and implementation of public health initiatives.
It uses the adolescent health report published by Healthy Youth Development-Prevention Research Center at the University of Minnesota to better provide care to the community, whether that means education or helping people get the reproductive and sexual health services they need.
"A large part of what we do is education and we have the luxury of spending about an hour with each client that we see," Van Den Einde said. "We (also) do a lot of STI testing, pregnancy testing, birth control options, women can come in and have their annual exam and pap exam."
Going to see providers regularly, especially for sexual and reproductive health, is important as some sexually transmitted diseases can cause issues with fertility and cancer.
"Chlamydia in particular is one that we see lots of and if it's not treated in women, over time that can cause problems with fertility," Van Den Einde said. "Educating people and letting them know that just routine testing is so important."
According to the report, 37% of rural Minnesota counties lack a sexual health clinic, making access difficult for those who seek care.
"Being in rural Minnesota, and the same thing (happens) in North Dakota, access is hard — a lot of people don't have transportation," Van Den Einde said. "We're able to do a one-stop shop where (those seeking care) can come see us and can get anything they need that day."
More information about the specific services offered by Polk, Norman and Mahnomen counties can be found on their websites. Polk County Public Health can be reached at 218-281-3385 and Norman-Mahnomen Public Health can be reached at 218-784-5425 for the Norman County location and 218-935-2527 for the Mahnomen County location.
