Teen Pregnancies And STDs High In Some Valley Cities

Teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases are big problems in the valley, according to public health officials. Some local communities are leading the way in these dubious categories in Riverside County.

In the latest county numbers compiled between 2006 and 2007, Desert Hot Springs leads the way with Coachella and Indio among the top 5 hot spots when it comes to teen birth rates.

Desert Hot Springs comes in number-two for teens contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

Overall the numbers are two to three times greater than the county average. One thing working against Desert Hot Springs is that it doesn’t have a county teen clinic.

“We definitely need to get a clinic out there,” said Marian Stahl, a Riverside County Health Educator. “I started last September going to high schools hoping to continue and provide education so they know about services, providing them with education so that they’re aware of what can happen to them.”

The Indio and Palm Springs Family Care Centers currently hold teen clinics each week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays respectively. The services are free.