It is rare to find such positive trends towards such a large scale issue as the extraordinary declines in teen pregnancy in the United States. According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned pregnancy, since the early 1990s, teen pregnancy and birth rates in the United State have declined by 52% and 57% respectively, and are now at record low levels.
But despite the rise in all of these prevention measures, it is estimated that nearly 1 in every 4 girls will get pregnant at least once before the age of 20 (source). The issues facing these young moms, their children, and society as a whole carries throughout a realm of potential health and economic issues, from the overall well-being of child and mother, to financial or health issues, to education barriers, and substantial costs associated with teen pregnancy. Parenthood is a leading cause of high school dropout among young women. We need to continue our work in helping teens to think carefully about the possibility of pregnancy, despite their convictions that it will never happen to them.
Effective measures of teenage pregnancy prevention include proper education, family support, open communication, accessibility to contraceptives, and accurate knowledge about sexual health, pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and the importance of abstinence (http://thenationalcampaign.org/event/national-day-2015).
To help teens make safe and healthy choices, check out some of the following resources:
Office of Adolescent Health: Talking with Teens
Advocates for Youth
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Healthy Children: Teen Dating and Sex
National Campaign To Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy: Parent’s Portal
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