Teen Pregnancy Rate on the Rise

Statement from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The nation's teen pregnancy rate rose 3% in 2006, according to a report released today by the Guttmacher Institute. The increase in the national teen pregnancy rate is the first since 1991. The National Campaign released the following statement in response to the new data:

"The headline from this sobering report is that one of the nation's shining success stories of the past two decades is in danger of unraveling," said Sarah Brown, CEO of The National Campaign. "Given our tough economy and demanding job market especially, anything that gets in the way of high school completion and at least some higher education is a national emergency. Clearly, the nation's collective efforts to convince teens to postpone childbearing must be more creative and more intense -- and they must begin today."

The discouraging trends may actually have a modest silver lining. They may provide those concerned about too-early pregnancy and childbearing a fresh opportunity to make their case to policymakers, parents, practitioners, and others.

In addition, the extraordinary declines in teen pregnancy and childbearing over the past two decades have proven to cynics that progress can be made on tough issues. But rates can go up as well as down, and the current reversal of progress requires a focused response. The Administration and Congress have taken an important step in helping reverse the recent increases in teen pregnancy by investing over $100 million in programs proven to help change teen behavior in positive ways.

This new investment will address a basic fact: the only teens getting pregnant are those having sex and not using contraception consistently and carefully. "We must insist that sexually active teens use contraception each and every time, and make the education and services available to help them do so," said Brown.

More information from The National Campaign is available here:

• Birth and Pregnancy Rates web portal
• National Data
• State Data

Read the full report from the Guttmacher Institute.

About The National Campaign. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy seeks to improve the lives and future prospects of children and families. Our specific strategy is to prevent teen pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy among single, young adults. We support a combination of responsible values and behavior by both men and women and responsible policies in both the public and private sectors. If we are successful, child and family well-being will improve. There will be less poverty, more opportunities for young men and women to complete their education or achieve other life goals, fewer abortions, and a stronger nation.

Visit www.TheNationalCampaign.org for more information.

SOURCE The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy