Posted on 12/05/2007 1:40:08 PM PST by Santa Fe_Conservative
ATLANTA - In a troubling reversal, the nation's teen birth rate rose for the first time in 15 years, surprising government health officials who had no immediate explanation.
The birth rate had been dropping since its peak in 1991, although the decline had slowed in recent years. On Wednesday, government statisticians said it rose 3 percent from 2005 to 2006.
U.S. health officials said it was possibly a one-year statistical blip and not the beginning of a new upward trend.
But several experts said they have been expecting a jump. They blame the increase on increased federal funding for abstinence-only health education programs that do not teach how to use condoms and other contraception.
Some key sexually transmitted disease rates have been rising, including syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. The rising teen pregnancy rate is part of the same phenomenon, said Dr. Carol Hogue, an Emory University professor of maternal and child health.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Sí.
It must be that Clinton’s policies are finally wearing off, right?/sarc
Any chance of a corresponding drop in teenage abortions?
It should be easy enough to find out. Are teen pregnancies increasing where abstinence-only eductaions programs are offered (is there such a place in the US)?
How many of these births were to illegal immigrants?
Possibilities:
1. Increase in hispanic illegals who see no problem having babies at 16
2. The teen baby boom from 16 years ago has resulted in 16 year olds who are now having babies. (Babies having babies baby boom)
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