Teen Birth Rates are Rising in Champaign County Despite a National Decrease
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2014
Contact
Jennifer Jackson, Health Educator II
(217) 531-2912
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Teen Birth Rates are Rising in Champaign County Despite a National Decrease
Comprehensive Sex Education is Necessary to Combat Teen Pregnancy
Champaign, IL – In preparation for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month in May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report on April 8, 2014 showing a decline in births to younger U.S. teens. Although younger teen births have declined nationally, the Champaign County teenage birth rate is rising slightly.
According to the CDC, the national rate of pregnancy among 15-17 year olds in 2012 was 14 births per 1,000 teens (1.4 percent). The Illinois Department of Public Health released provisional numbers showing that in Champaign County, the pregnancy rates for 15-17 year olds were 2.2 percent in 2012 and 2.3 percent in 2013 - higher than the national rate. These numbers represent an increase from the Champaign County 2011 birth rate for 1517 year olds, which was 1 percent. Teens overall (19 year olds and younger) accounted for 7 percent of births in Champaign County in 2012 and 2013, an increase from 6 percent in 2011.
Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) stated, “Champaign County teenage birth rates are somewhat higher than the national averages, which are already too high. We need targeted interventions to prevent teen pregnancy in our community. Teenage parents are more likely to drop out of school, have lower academic achievement and are more likely to have repeat births as teenagers.”
In the CDC’s press release announcing the teen pregnancy report, CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., stated, “Births to younger teens pose the greatest risk of poor medical, social and economic outcomes. Efforts to prevent teen childbearing need to focus on evidence-based approaches to delaying sexual activity and increasing use of the most effective methods of contraception for those teens who are sexually active.”
The CDC report had additional findings, including:
- Racial and ethnic disparities in teen pregnancy rates remain, suggesting the continued need for culturally appropriate interventions and services.
- Sexually active teens continue to use less effective contraceptives.
- Earlier delivery of prevention efforts may further increase abstinence and birth control use.
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District offers teen pregnancy prevention services, including educational programs for junior high and high school students and walk-in family planning services (such as contraception, reproductive health exams, pregnancy health education and STD testing).
For more information:
www.c-uphd.org
www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/p0408-teen-births.html
www.idph.state.il.us/health/statshome.htm
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