Teen pregnancies have declined dramatically in the United States since their peak in the early 1990s, as have the number of births and abortions that result, according to a study by researchers with the Guttmacher Institute.
In 2008, teen pregnancies reached their lowest levels in nearly 40 years at a rate of about 7%, or 67.8 pregnancies per 1,000 women ages 15 to 19. The rate is a 42% decline from the peak of 1990 (116.9 per 1,000).
Similarly, the birthrate declined 35% between 1991 and 2008, from 61.8 to 40.2 births per 1,000 teens. The abortion rate declined 59% from its 1988 peak of 43.5 abortions per 1,000 teens to its 2008 level of 17.8 per 1,000.
Even with dramatic reductions in pregnancy, birth and abortion rates among all racial and ethnic groups, disparities between black, white and Hispanic teens persist. After peaking in the early 1990s, the teen pregnancy rate dropped by 37% among Hispanics, 48% among blacks and 50% among non-Hispanic whites. Yet the rates among black and Hispanic teens remain two to three times higher that of non-Hispanic white teens.
The researchers also found considerable disparities in birth and abortion rates. The birthrates in 2008 among black and Hispanic teens, as well as Hispanic teens' abortion rate, were twice the rates among whites. The abortion rate for black teens was four times that of whites.
"The recent declines in teen pregnancy rates are great news," lead author Kathryn Kost said in a news release. "However, the continued inequities among racial and ethnic minorities are cause for concern. It is time to redouble our efforts to ensure that all teens have access to the information and contraceptive services they need to prevent unwanted pregnancies."
A large body of research has shown that the long-term decline in teen pregnancy, birth and abortion rates was driven primarily by improved use of contraception among teens, the authors said.
After a decrease during the 1990s in the overall proportion of females ages 15 to 19 who were sexually experienced, there has been almost no change in the proportion in recent years. Continuing decreases in teen pregnancy more recently may be driven by increased use of the most effective contraceptive methods as well as dual-method use.
In sum, the researchers said, teens appear to be making the decision to be more effective contraceptive users, and their actions are paying off in lower pregnancy, birth and abortion rates.
"U.S. Teenage Pregnancies, Births and Abortions, 2008: National Trends by Age, Race and Ethnicity" by Kathryn Kost and Stanley Henshaw of the Guttmacher Institute is available as a PDF at http://bit.ly/zINgwC.
In 2008, teen pregnancies reached their lowest levels in nearly 40 years at a rate of about 7%, or 67.8 pregnancies per 1,000 women ages 15 to 19. The rate is a 42% decline from the peak of 1990 (116.9 per 1,000).
Similarly, the birthrate declined 35% between 1991 and 2008, from 61.8 to 40.2 births per 1,000 teens. The abortion rate declined 59% from its 1988 peak of 43.5 abortions per 1,000 teens to its 2008 level of 17.8 per 1,000.
Even with dramatic reductions in pregnancy, birth and abortion rates among all racial and ethnic groups, disparities between black, white and Hispanic teens persist. After peaking in the early 1990s, the teen pregnancy rate dropped by 37% among Hispanics, 48% among blacks and 50% among non-Hispanic whites. Yet the rates among black and Hispanic teens remain two to three times higher that of non-Hispanic white teens.
The researchers also found considerable disparities in birth and abortion rates. The birthrates in 2008 among black and Hispanic teens, as well as Hispanic teens' abortion rate, were twice the rates among whites. The abortion rate for black teens was four times that of whites.
"The recent declines in teen pregnancy rates are great news," lead author Kathryn Kost said in a news release. "However, the continued inequities among racial and ethnic minorities are cause for concern. It is time to redouble our efforts to ensure that all teens have access to the information and contraceptive services they need to prevent unwanted pregnancies."
A large body of research has shown that the long-term decline in teen pregnancy, birth and abortion rates was driven primarily by improved use of contraception among teens, the authors said.
After a decrease during the 1990s in the overall proportion of females ages 15 to 19 who were sexually experienced, there has been almost no change in the proportion in recent years. Continuing decreases in teen pregnancy more recently may be driven by increased use of the most effective contraceptive methods as well as dual-method use.
In sum, the researchers said, teens appear to be making the decision to be more effective contraceptive users, and their actions are paying off in lower pregnancy, birth and abortion rates.
"U.S. Teenage Pregnancies, Births and Abortions, 2008: National Trends by Age, Race and Ethnicity" by Kathryn Kost and Stanley Henshaw of the Guttmacher Institute is available as a PDF at http://bit.ly/zINgwC.
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