National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month

May is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, and CDC recently released a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), “Reduced Disparities in Birth Rates Among Teens Aged 15–19 Years — United States, 2006–2007 and 2013–2014.” http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6516a1.htm?s_cid=mm6516a1_e The report highlights that teen birth rates have fallen nearly 50 percent among Hispanic and black teens, dropping the national teen birth rate to an all-time low. While dramatic declines among Hispanic and black teens have helped reduce racial/ethnic gaps, birth rates remain twice as high for these teens nationally compared to white teens, and more than three times as high in some states. Data also highlight the role socioeconomic conditions play, finding that higher unemployment and lower income and education are more common in communities with the highest teen birth rates, regardless of race. Learn more about reducing disparities in teen births.