Teen Pregnancy

Teen Pregnancy

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that from 2018 to 2019 the teen pregnancy rate among Natives was higher (29.2) than all other races/ethnicities. During the same time, period teen birth rates declined for several racial groups (Hispanic females, non-Hispanic white females, and non-Hispanic black females). The teen pregnancy rate among Natives was more than two times higher than non-Hispanic white teens. 

Risk Factors for Teen Pregnancy 

The CDC found that "social determinants of health, such as low education and low-income levels of a teen's family, may contribute to high birth rates". Certain settings or environments can put teens at higher risk of teen pregnancy than other groups. For example, foster care can cause a young woman to be two times more likely to become pregnant than young women who do not live in foster care. 

Teen Pregnancy Prevention 

There are evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs that can be implemented in different settings. Beyond implementing a teen pregnancy prevention program teens should have access to the following: 

• Youth-friendly reproductive health services 
• Support from parents and other trusted adults 
• Efforts at the community level 

Source: CDC | Teen Pregnancy 

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