A report out today from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that teen birth rates have continued to decline across nearly all ethnic and racial groups, reaching a historic low in 2012 — the lowest teen birth rate since 1940 (the year when teen birth data began being collected). The birth rate in the U.S. for teens 15-19 years old was down six percent in 2012. Since 2007, the teen birth rate in the U.S. has dropped almost a third (from 41.5 births per 1,000 teenagers 15-19 years to 29.4 births). Since 1991, it has dropped by more than half (from 61.8).
“This progress in reducing teen pregnancy is an enormous public health win,” said Leslie Kantor, vice president of education for Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “These declines show the continued importance of high-quality sex education and access to affordable birth control for adolescents.
“While the continuing decline in teen birth rates is welcome news, it is important to note that the U.S. still has the highest teen birth rate of any developed country and there are significant disparities among racial and ethnic groups. We need to continue working to ensure that all young people get the information and access to services they need to prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.”
Planned Parenthood works every day to prevent teen pregnancy. Planned Parenthood affiliates provide sex education programs in schools and communities across the country to more than a million people including parents.
Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With nearly 750 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.