There will be a teen pregnancy awareness and panel discussion at Greene County Community Center on Thursday.

Teen pregnancy is on the rise in Greene County.  According to a 2012 study conducted by the Population Health Institute at the University of Wisconsin reports that Greene County had the highest teen pregnancy rate per capita in Iowa with 17 pregnancies in 2010.

Greene County public health has put a panel together to raise awareness of teen pregnancy.  The panel consists of Dr. David Ohrt, a licensed mental health counselor, Pam Mentzer, a family support worker at Greene County Medical Center for the HOPES (Healthy Opportunities for Parents to Experience Success) program and Autumn Berry, started motherhood as a teenager.

Assistant Director of Greene County Public Health Donna Sutton says that the purpose of the panel discussion isn’t to debate prevention measures, but it let the speakers share their information in a community setting.

“Hear from some experts that have been more involved with teen pregnancy in these last few years and hear what they have to say so we can get a little bit greater idea of why we are experiencing that (rise in teen pregnancy rate in the county).”

The event is at the community center meeting room at 7pm on Thursday.  The public is invited to attend.