The U.S. Teen Birth Rate Rises for the First Time in 14 Years

BY HELEN ROBINSON

What Does This Mean for Georgia?
After dropping steadily since the early 1990s, the nation's birth rate for teens ages 15-19 rose 3 percent in 2006, according to a recent report from the National Center for Health Statistics. This represents the first increase in the U.S. teen birth rate in 14 years.

Unfortunately, Georgia also experienced a 3-percent increase in the teen birth rate in 2006. According to the Georgia Division of Public Health, Georgia's birth rate for 15 to 19 year olds rose from 52.3 births per 1,000 in 2005 to 54.1 births per 1,000 in 2006. The rate increased among both African-Americans and Whites.

Source: Georgia DHR, Division of Public Health, Online Analytical Statistical Information System (OASIS).

Like the national rate, prior to 2006, Georgia's teen birth rate had declined every year for well over a decade. So what does this sudden reversal in the downward trend mean for teen pregnancy prevention efforts in our state?

A single year increase does not necessarily mean our progress has ceased, but this recent up-tick is proof that there is no time for complacency in our state when it comes to teen pregnancy.

We must remember that, while we have experienced dramatic declines in our teen birth rate in past years, Georgia has the eighth highest teen birth rate and the third highest repeat teen birth rate in the nation. In fact, Georgia's teen birth rate has consistently ranked among the highest 10 of the 50 states for the 17 years that Georgia's rates have been tracked for KIDS COUNT.

15 by 15 CAMPAIGN
In 2006, G-CAPP launched the 15 by 15 teen pregnancy reduction goal, to reduce the teen pregnancy rate in our state by 15 percent by 2015. Our state can reach this goal by preventing an average of 26 teen pregnancies per county.

This recent national and statewide increase in teen birth rates is a call to action for policymakers, community leaders, adolescent service providers, and other key stakeholders to work to ensure that our state is able to achieve the 15 by 15 goal.

Demographic and economic trends that are impacting the national teen birth rate will continue to impact our state's rate, meaning that it is time to redouble our efforts. We also must remember that each year a new group of children enters adolescence, and prevention efforts must continually be renewed to ensure that we do not lose ground.

As a state, we must address the primary risk factors of teen pregnancy, including school failure and poverty. Adolescents need assurance that good jobs and post-secondary educational opportunities await them as adults, and they need help in making the transition to adulthood through quality out-of-school time activities, connections with caring adults, and Independent Living Services for youth aging out of the foster care system. In addition, public and private insurance coverage and health-care services, including mental health and substance abuse services, should be accessible and affordable for all youth.

We need to invest in prevention programs that work, both in schools and community-based organizations, and ensure that all professionals who work with youth have core training in adolescent development and adolescent sex education. Sex education should instill a strong sense of self-worth and be delivered by parents at home and by other adults in school and community settings. Research demonstrates that helping adolescents postpone sexual involvement, while equipping sexually active youth with accurate medical information and contraception on a confidential basis is the best strategy to reduce teen pregnancy.

Pregnant and parenting adolescents also need support in finishing their education, avoiding a repeat pregnancy, and becoming self-sufficient adults.

We can take this opportunity to turn bad news into positive action. Get involved in local prevention programs and initiatives in your community, and as the 2008 General Assembly session approaches, let your elected officials know that we want our state to invest in proven-effective prevention initiatives and adolescent health services to maintain our state's downward trend in teen pregnancy rates.

Together, we can achieve the 15 by 15 goal.

Helen Robinson is policy director for Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (G-CAPP).

G-CAPP is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating teen pregnancy in Georgia through developing, establishing and supporting policies and program innovations that promote the healthy development of our most vulnerable adolescents.

For more information, please visit www.gcapp.org.

Sign up for regular updates about issues impacting teen pregnancy in Georgia through the G-CAPP Policy and Advocacy E-Letter.

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