The Orange County Women’s Health Project (OCWHP)
suspended operations in January 2024.
The following information is provided for archival purposes only.
The Healthy Teen Collective is a groundbreaking, countywide initiative that promotes teen health and healthy dating relationships in Orange County.
Background
In 2019 the OCWHP launched and led an initiative that leveraged the infrastructure, activities, and relationships built under the Domestic Violence and Health Collective to promote teen health and healthy dating relationships in Orange County.
This initiative, called the Healthy Teen Collective, addressed teen health (physical, mental, and emotional) and created awareness about intimate partner violence and sexual/reproductive coercion among teens in Orange County.
The Need in Orange County
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): STIs among CA youth are on the rise. In 2017, chlamydia rose by 9% among youth 15-24, and chlamydia among female youth were nearly 3 times higher than among males.[1] Within the same age group, gonorrhea increased 12% over 2016.[2] Moreover, youth aged 15–24 years represent 25% of the sexually active population, but they acquire half of all new STIs.[3,4]
Teen Birth Rates: There are large disparities in the teen birth rates in OC, as certain cities have significantly higher birth rates than the county, state and national averages. Babies born to adolescent females are at higher risk of being born early, having a low birthweight, and/or dying during infancy[5] and are also less likely to have access to the emotional and financial resources they need.
Teen Dating Violence: In 2016, nearly 1 in 9 female teens and 1 in 13 male teens reported physical dating violence in the last year. Before the age of 18, 23% of women are victims of sexual or physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner.[6] Teen dating violence is widespread, with serious short- and long-term effects. Youth are more likely to experience anxiety and depression, engage in unhealthy behaviors including drug and alcohol use, engage in antisocial behavior, and contemplate suicide. Those who experience teen dating violence in high school are also more susceptible to similar victimization in college.[7]
Mental Health: Adolescent depression is a serious problem affecting 10.7% of U.S. teens.[8] In Orange County, 28% of 9th graders report experiencing depression and 17% of 9th and 11th graders report suicidal ideations.[9]
Planning Partners
OCWHP, Human Options, Laura's House, LGBTQ Center OC, Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties, Tilly’s Life Center, UC Irvine - Initiative to End Family Violence, Waymakers, WTLC, 211 Orange County
#LOVEISOC
The OCWHP created #LoveIsOC – a giving day to support healthy teen relationships In Orange County.
In 2019 , the OCWHP led 6 nonprofit partners in raising nearly $90,000 and in 2020, the OCWHP led 11 nonprofit partners in raising $117,918. In recent years the #LoveIsOC campaign has continued under rotating leadership.
For the 2020 campaign, local teens submitted videos on what healthy relationships mean to them. We're proud to share their videos:
Love is taking care of your mental health
Love is learning how to cultivate a healthy relationship
Citations
[1] www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/CT-GC-Youth-2017Snapshot.pdf
[2] Ibid.
[3] Satterwhite, CL et al. “Sexually Transmitted Infections among US Women and Men: Prevalence and Incidence Estimates, 2008.” Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2013, vol. 40, no. 3, 2013, pp. 187– 193.
[4] www.kidsdata.org/export/pdf?cat=86
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] “Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance – United States 2017”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, June 15, 2018, available at www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2017/ss6708.pdf
[8] American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2018
[9] Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, Orange County 2016 (CDPH)