Evaluation of the Health Outcomes Related to Unwanted Pregnancies

Publication Date

Spring 4-22-2026

Presentation Length

20 minutes

College

College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Department

Public Health, Department of

Student Level

Undergraduate

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Laurie Gavilo-Lane

Presentation Type

Talk/Oral

Summary

In Tennessee, there are over 83,000 births annually (Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research, 2025). Nearly half of these births are reported as unintended, representing over 40,000 unintended pregnancies each year (Tennessee Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System [PRAMS], 2020). This highlights a substantial and ongoing public health concern with implications for maternal and child health outcomes. Tennessee also ranks among the states with the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy, with 23.7 pregnancies per 1,000 females compared to the national average of 16.7 (Tennessee Department of Health, 2019). Elevated rates of unintended and adolescent pregnancy are associated with increased risk of adverse health behaviors and outcomes, including higher likelihood of tobacco use, substance use, and increased risk of maternal anxiety and depression (Pratasava, 2025). Certain populations are disproportionately affected. Individuals of reproductive age (15–44) who are living below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and those with lower educational attainment (less than a high school diploma) experience a higher risk of unintended pregnancy (Pratasava, 2025). These disparities underscore the role of structural and social determinants of health in shaping reproductive outcomes. Addressing unintended pregnancy in Tennessee requires targeted, evidence-based interventions that account for socioeconomic inequities, access to care, and prevention strategies, particularly among high-risk populations. Key Feedback / What Was Improved 1. Language sensitivity: shifted from “unwanted” → “unintended” (standard public health terminology) 2. Clarity & flow: moved from list of stats → logical narrative (scope → risk → disparities → implication) 3. Epidemiologic framing: added population-level significance and linkage to outcomes 4. Stronger conclusion statement: clearly states why the problem matters and sets up the intervention

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