Teen Birth Rate in US Drops but Still 1,700 Babies Born to Teens Every Week, CDC

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released the latest statistics for teen pregnancies indicating a 63 percent decline in teen birth rate in the last two decades.

The statistic was announced after CDC researchers analyzed the birth data from the National Vital Statistics System and the National Survey of Family Growth. Analysis from 1991 to 2012 revealed that the number of births among 15-17 year olds dropped but these younger teens still accounted for a quarter of teen births. The rate of births among young teens is 1,700 per week

This new finding highlights the need to introduce strict interventions in order to curb teen pregnancies.

"Although we have made significant progress reducing teen pregnancy, far too many teens are still having babies," CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H, said in a statement.  "Births to younger teens pose the greatest risk of poor medical, social and economic outcomes.  Efforts to prevent teen childbearing need to focus on evidence-based approaches to delaying sexual activity and increasing use of the most effective methods of contraception for those teens who are sexually active."

There was a 63 percent drop in birth rates among teens of ages 15-17 from 38.6 births per 1000 in 1991 to 14.1 births per 1000 in 2012.

The teen birth rate was especially high among Hispanic, non-Hispanic, black and American Indian/Alaska Native community. 

Among the Hispanic teens, the birth rate per 1000 teens(of age 15-17) in the year 2012 was 25.5. Among the non-Hispanic black teens it was 21.9 births per 1000, 17 births per 1000 among American Indian/Alaska Native teens, 8.4 births per 1000 among the non-Hispanic white teens and 4.1 for the Asian/Pacific Islander teens.

Statistics also revealed that nearly 73 percent of teens were not sexually active. It was found that  1 in 4 teens never discussed with their parents about sex.

Among the sexually active teens, over 80 percent never received any sex education before having sex for the first time.  90 percent of the teens used contraception the last time they had sex, but most of them reported that the method used was not effective.

"We need to provide young people with the support and opportunities they need to empower themselves. Trying to balance the task of childbearing while trying to complete their high school education is a difficult set of circumstances, even with the help of family and others," said Shanna Cox, M.S.P.H., CDC's Division of Reproductive Health. "Teens who give birth are at increased risk of having a repeat birth while still a teenager. And these younger teens are less likely to earn a high school diploma or GED than older teens who give birth."

The researchers state that parents and guardians can  play a very influential role in helping pre-teens and teens avoid risky sexual behavior.