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
