Teen birthrate climbs after years of decline
Published in the Columbus Dispatch Thursday December 6, 2007 [article exerpt] ATLANTA (AP) -- The nation's teen birthrate rose for the first time in 15 years, surprising government health officials who had no immediate explanation. The birthrate had been dropping since its peak in 1991, although the decline had slowed. Yesterday, 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 in federal funding for abstinence-only health education programs that do not teach how to use condoms and other contraception. You can read the full text of the article on the Columbus Dispatch website. |
