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U.S. Teen Birth Rate Falls to Record Low: State Data Delayed Until Early 2012
0 Comment(s) | Posted November 18, 2011 |
U.S. Teen Birth Rate Falls to Record Low
State and Local Data Delayed Until Early 2012
DURHAM, N.C. (November 18, 2011) – Teen birth rates in the United States fell to the lowest level in recorded history, according to new data announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday. The birth rate for 15-19 year old girls nationwide fell 9% between 2009 and 2010.
The new birth rate announcement follows in a series of positive announcements from the CDC on adolescent sexual health. Earlier this month, the CDC announced that the number of teens who are having sex has dropped and the number of sexually active teens who use contraceptives has skyrocketed.
"As a nation, we are seeing the payoff of helping teens effectively delay becoming sexually active and use contraceptives when they do," said Kay Phillips, executive director of the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina (APPCNC). "I feel confident that our North Carolina numbers will show similar positive outcomes."
State-level teen pregnancy and birth rate data is traditionally available in October for the preceeding year.
However, 2010 data has been delayed by federal officials who have not provided state statisticians with new population numbers from the U.S. Census. APPCNC expects to make state and county level data available in early 2012.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Finley, Director of Strategic Communications, efinley@appcnc.org, Office: (919) 226-1880, Mobile: (919) 749-7309