Gov’t Says Record Low Teen Births "Still Too High”

Teen birth rates in the United States are currently the lowest level ever recorded, but 15 to 17 year-olds still account for one fourth of all teen births, according to the latest teen pregnancy report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to the CDC report, more than 86,000 teens between the ages of 15 and 17 gave birth in 2012, increasing risks of developing negative physical and emotion health conditions, and heavily reducing their chances of completing high school and/or going to college.

The report, released in the April, 2014 issue of the CDC's Vitalsigns, analyzed pregnancy and birth-rate data for the year 2012, comparing that year's results to the past two decades. According to the report, 2012's data reflect the lowest teen pregnancy rates ever recorded, continuing with a trend of decline in teen pregnancies that began in the 1990's.

Still, the authors of the report write that although the continued decline is encouraging, the numbers are still too high. The report focused primarily on data regarding teen's who has yet to complete high school, ranging from age 15 to 17. According to the report, nearly 1,700 of teens in this age group give birth every week. These births also make up one fourth of teen pregnancies overall, with the greater majority of teen pregnancies occurring in young women 18 or 19 years old.

However, the report focuses on pregnancy statistics concerning teens who have yet to finish high-school, as they are not yet legally recognized as adults and are considered the most vulnerable age group.

Alarmingly, even though younger teens still make up one fourth of all teen pregnancies, the CDC report found that only about 27 percent of all 15 to 17 year olds report ever having had sex. This indicates that unlike the older teen demographic -- which is more sexually active -- a significant percentage of sexually active young teens are getting pregnant.

In light of this news, the CDC is calling for health care professionals to provide confidential and "culturally appropriate" services for teen clients in need, including offering a broad range of contraceptive methods and an increased access to council and sex education.