Teenage Births in the United States: 1991-1996

State Trends, 1991-96, an Update

A new report from the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides State specific birth rates for teenagers for 1991 and 1996 and the percent change between 1991 and 1996. It is an update to the special report on teenage childbearing issued by NCHS in April of this year.

During the 1991-96 period, teenage birth rates fell in all States and the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. Declines ranged from 6 to 29 percent and were statistically significant in all but three States. Between 1991 and 1996, rates fell by 16.0 percent or more in 13 States; declines in four of these States exceeded 20.0 percent. Eleven States registered declines of 13.0 to 15.9 percent, and 12 States and the District of Columbia registered declines of 10.0 to 12.4 percent. Declines of 5.5 to 9.9 percent were found for 11 States.

Nationally, the birth rate for teenagers continued to decline in 1996, and has now fallen by 12 percent to 54.4 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 years, compared with 62.1 in 1991. Teenage birth rates by State vary substantially, from 28.6 (New Hampshire) to 102.1 (District of Columbia); the highest rate reported was 116.8 (Guam). Differences in overall rates by State reflect differences in the teenage populations of the States by race and Hispanic origin. Birth rates for teenage subgroups 15-17 and 18-19 years also vary substantially by State.

There are serious health consequences for teenage childbearing and thus teen birth rates are tracked closely and documented carefully. The new report is available and can be downloaded from the NCHS home page on the Internet: www.cdc.gov/nchs

© 2002