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Oh Jamie-Lynn, you’re not the only one. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), reported in December that in 2006, the US teen birth rate rose for the first time since 1991. The increase is according to the following breakdown:

• 3% rise for teens ages 15-17 (22 births per 1,000 women)
• 4% rise for teens ages 18-19 (73 births per 1,000 women)
• No rise for girls ages 10-14

Notably, the CDC also reported an 8% increase in births to unwed mothers between 2005 and 2006.

According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, there aren’t yet clear reasons causing the first increase in fifteen years. Among the potential causes they suggest include:

1. People are using yesterday’s tactics to fight teen pregnancy and the campaign needs a revamp.
2. The birth rate is up for all women, suggesting that “broader forces are at play.”

The National Campaign plans to use the information to strengthen and update its strategies, and infuse its programs with new life.

References:

http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/NCHS_2006.aspx

http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20071205/us-teen-birth-rates-rising?src=rss_amerpregnancy

Tags: teen pregnancy