The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy - 2009

A Message from NHCLC President, Rev. Sam Rodriguez:


As America's largest and preeminent Hispanic Christian Organization, we seek to reconcile the vertical and horizontal values of the Cross by providing leadership, fellowship, networking, partnerships, public policy initiatives, education and social justice platforms for the Hispanic American community. Without a doubt, the teenage pregnancy epidemic in our community demands an immediate response from the Church in a matter that engages our 18,734 churches to serve as the proverbial firewall to this egregious deviation of God's purpose for so many of our children and youth. Correspondingly, we have partnered with the National Campaign for the Prevention of Teen and Unwanted Pregnancies in order to address, raise awareness and tackle this issue with all the resources possible. As a result, we encourage you to review the Publications above that will empower your church and organization to serve this great need as together we reinforce the value of personal responsibility, faith, hope and love.

The teen birth rate in the United States increased 1% in 2007, according to data released today by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). This is the second year in a row that the teen birth rate has increased. The increase follows 14 years of continuous decline in the teen birth rate. That is, after declining 34% between 1991 and 2005, the teen birth rate has now increased 5% between 2005 and 2007.

The birth rate increased 2% among whites and Asians and 1% among blacks, and decreased 2% among Hispanics – thanks to our concerted and collaborative efforts.

A separate public opinion survey released today by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy provides some guidance on what might help to reverse the recent teen birth rate trend. Results from the nationally-representative survey make clear that (1) when it comes to teens' decisions about sex, parents are more influential than they think, and (2) adults and teens view efforts that encourage teens to delay sex and that encourage sexually active teens to use contraception as complimentary not contradictory strategies. In particular:

• Teens say parents (31%) most influence their decisions about sex---more than friends (18%), the media (7%), teachers and sex educators (3%) and others.
• For their part, 43% of adults believe that friends most influence teens' decisions about; 24% of adults believe that parents are most influential.
• Fully 73% of adults and a plurality of teens wish that teens were getting more information about both abstinence and contraception, rather than either/or.

Complete results from the National Campaign survey, a press release from the National Campaign, a link to the full NCHS teen birth data report, and other supporting materials can be found at: http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/birthdata.

Dear LIAG Members:

This morning the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) released final teen birth data for 2006. As expected, the information confirms that the overall teen birth rate increased 3% between 2005 and 2006—a figure first reported in December 2007 based on preliminary analyses.

New in the NCHS report, however, is state by state 2006 teen birth data. Between 2005 and 2006, 26 states had a statistically significant increase in the teen birth rate, only three states and the District of Columbia had statistically significant decreases, and 22 state rates were essentially unchanged.

Other findings from the NCHS report include:

• The overall teen birth rate is up 3% after 14 straight years of declines;
• Roughly two-thirds of the teen birth rate increase between 2005 and 2006 can be attributed to teens age 18 to 19 and one-third to teens age 15 to 17;
• The teen birth rate increased between 2005 and 2006 among all major racial ethnic groups (Latinos +2%, Whites +3%, Native Americans +4%, and Blacks +5%);
• There were statistically significant increases in the teen birth rate in more than half of the states and decreases in only three;
• The state increases are widespread— from California to Florida, Alaska to Alabama, and Montana to Texas.

To see the National Campaign's press release, please visit: http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/birthdata/Teen_Birth_Rate_Increase_Press_Release.pdf

On our website you'll also find:

• State by state teen birth data 1991-2006 and 2005-2006;
• 2006 state birth rate rankings;
• National Campaign analyses of the data;
• What the National Campaign plans to do in reaction to teen birth rate increases;
• What the National Campaign suggests states and communities do.

For more information, please visit: http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/birthdata/default.aspx

Many thanks to those of you who gave feedback on our draft response to the new teen birth data: Liany Elba Arroyo, Emilia Gianfortoni, Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, Héctor Sánchez-Flores, Carlos Ugarte, and Antonia Villarruel.

We would love to hear your thoughts—read our latest blog entry on the teen birth rate increase and share your opinions in the comments section.

©2007, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

1776 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036.

ph: (202) 478-8500. fax: (202) 478-8588. CFC #1976.