Teen pregnancy rate drops to historic low
New research by the Monell Chemical Senses Center finds mothers can influence a baby's palate and food memories before it is born. The study finds that what a woman eats during her pregnancy shapes the baby's food preferences later in life.
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Posted: 06/20/2012
ATLANTA - The teen pregnancy rate in the United States has hit an historic low. A new report by the national center for health statistics finds the number of teen pregnancies dropping 40 percent between 1990 and 2008.
Dr. Ellen Rome did not take part in the study but is a pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital.
"There are fewer teen pregnancies than there were- and this is the lowest rate we've had since 1976. There are fewer live births and fewer abortions. This is great news," said Dr. Rome.
The report cites the pregnancy rate in 2008 as the lowest since 1976. The overall declines are reflected in significant decreases in the number of live births and induced abortions between 1990 and 2008.
And pregnancy rates for women in their early 20's also dropped to the lowest level in more than thirty years.
Researchers say it appears fewer teenagers are having sex or waiting longer. And those who are sexually active are more apt to use contraception.
Dr. Rome agrees.
“The message should be delay sex until… Whatever the parents and the communities' values are. The second thing that is really going well now is a trend toward long-acting reversible contraceptives. That's things like Depo-Provera- the shot. IUD's and IUS'," said Dr. Rome.
Click here to read the report or go to www.cdc.gov/teenpregnancy/ .
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