From KELO TV:
A new national report suggests teen pregnancies are at a 15 year high. And government health officials say they’re numbers worth watchingÂ
The last peak in teen pregnancies was in 1991. Since then it’s been a falling trend. But The National Institutes of Health is now reporting that trend may be over. In its most recent report on the well-being of America’s children, the Institute found more teens between the ages of 15 and 17 are getting pregnant.Â
In 2005, 133,000 girls in that age group gave birth. That number rose to 139,000 in 2006. Researchers say the spike is small, and they’re not sure why the numbers increased. The data indicates that pregnant teens are less likely to get prenatal care and gain the appropriate amount of weight.Â
The report also shows that fewer 8th graders are smoking. In 2007, just 3% of 8th graders reported smoking daily – that’s a decrease from the 4% in 2006. And a dramatic drop from the 10% reported just a decade before.Â
In South Dakota, the latest numbers from Kids Count 2008 show that birth rates for 15 to 17 year old girls was up slightly in 2005. But that same year, 18 and 19 year old girls had fewer babies.
Here’s a clue; STOP FUNDING ABSTINENCE ONLY EDUCATION!