Dramatic Drop in Teen Birth Rates
The National Picture
The U.S. teen birth rate fell a dramatic 9% in 2010 and is now at the lowest rate ever reported. Preliminary data released last month by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found 34.2 births per thousand females age 15-19, which is a decline of 44% from its peak in 1991.
Decreased birth rates were found in teens in all age groups:
- Among 15-17 year olds, the rate plummeted 12% to 17.3 births per thousand, which is a 55% decrease since 1991.
- Among 10-14 year olds, the rate dropped from 0.5 to 0.4 births per thousand, which is a historic low.
- Birth rates were also down 9% for older teens (ages 18-19), to 58.3 per thousand.
Birth rates in 2010 were down for all racial/ethnic groups. Rates declined an impressive 12% for Hispanic teenagers; 9% in non-Hispanic Whites; and 9% among black teens.
This remarkable progress is due to decreased pregnancy rates -- not due to increases in abortion. In fact, abortion rates and numbers have been decreasing in recent years. Research indicates that progress in teen pregnancy prevention has been due to both more abstinence and more birth control. More teens are waiting to become sexually active and more teens who are sexually active are using contraception.
Dramatic drops in Bexar County
In August, Metro Health released preliminary teen birth data for Bexar County, and the decreases are even more dramatic than the national picture. According to the report, Maternal and Child Health in San Antonio, Bexar County teen birth rates fell to 50.9 per thousand--a dramatic 24% decline since 2001. Of course, 50.9 per thousand is still nearly 50% higher than the national rate, but it represents great progress in our community.
The biggest declines in Bexar teen birth rates in 2010 were observed among Hispanic teens, with a rate of 64.6 per thousand. This represents a drop of 22% in the rate of births to Hispanic teens since 2001. This is great news!
However, Bexar County's birth rate among Hispanic teens is still substantially higher -- 16% higher -- than the national Hispanic teen birth rate. This helps to explain why San Antonio has such high rates. Because such large percentage of San Antonio's population is Hispanic, what is happening among Hispanic teens has a big effect on our overall rates and numbers.
100 Percent Preventable
This great national and local news shows us that teen pregnancy is 100 percent preventable. In fact, the CDC lists teen pregnancy as one of ten "winnable battles" in Public Health, and one that has a huge impact on young people's future.
Teens have the best chance of reaching their goals and dreams when they delay pregnancy and parenthood until later -- when they can be the parents they truly want to be. Children have the best chance of a bright future when their parents are prepared to offer them all they need to thrive.
We have made great progress, but we still have a long way to go. In 2010, even with the fall in rates, there were over 3,200 babies born to Bexar County teens. That means over 3,200 children at high risk for poverty, poor health, and limited education. In 2015, these children will fill 147 Kindergarten classes. Many will do well. But too many, as children of parents too young, will not be ready to learn.
Healthy Futures of Texas is helping to reduce teen pregnancy in San Antonio by providing education for parents and teens, and by empowering the community to do what it takes for effective prevention. Healthy Futures provides teen education in schools and community agencies, and we convene the Healthy Futures Alliance (HFA) coalition.
As Ricardo Pimentel of the San Antonio Express-News put it: "Good news; now get to work!"
