ACTION to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies in North Yorkshire is being take by Scarborough Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust.
Together with the county Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Group it is launching an advice and information pack for teenagers to help combat the problem.
Liz White, the trust's health promotion manager and local teenage pregnancy co-ordinator, said: "One of the reasons for the high rate of teenage pregnancy is a lack of knowledge about contraception and where young people can access free and confidential advice and support about sexual health matters."
She said the aim was to reduce the rate of pregnancies among the under-18s, and also to see the trend among the under-16s fall by 2010.
In addition more support is to be given to teenage parents in education, training and employment to reduce their risk of long-term social exclusion.
Ms White added Scarborough had the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in North Yorkshire but in the county as a whole, the rate is lower than the national average.
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