Declining Teen Birth Rates: CA Counties Mirror a National Trend
A study released last week from the Guttmacher Institute put some national perspective on the declining rates of teen births across the U.S. This study notes that the national teen birth rate decreased by 35% from its peak in 1991 (61.8 births per 1,000 women) to 2008 (40.2 births).
How do the teen birth rates of California communities compare? In all California counties for which data are available, teen birth rates declined from 1995 to 2009. Over this time period, the statewide teen birth rate decreased by nearly 50%. However, disparities persist. California's Latina/Hispanic teen birth rate in 2009 was more than four times that of Caucasian/White teens.
Find Local Teen Birth Data
While teen birth rates decreased in all California counties, some of the greatest declines were in rural areas. For example, the teen birth rate in Nevada County decreased by 79% from 1995 to 2009. Similarly, Placer County saw a 78% decline over that same time period.
In Context: Teen Births
Infants of teen mothers are at higher risk for physical, social, and emotional challenges than infants of mothers in their 20s and early 30s. Teen mothers are more likely to have babies born prematurely or with low birthweight, and they also are more likely to have babies who die in infancy, compared to mothers in their 20s and 30s.
Tell Your Friends and Colleagues
Those who work to improve the health and well being of children often require assistance in making their case. As a foundation devoted to bringing attention to key children's health issues, we want to make sharing up-to-date, reliable data as easy as possible. Please forward this announcement to your friends and colleagues who work on behalf of kids. |
County-Level Declines: This data animation highlights declining teen birth rates across California counties. Click the image and press play to see the decrease.
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