The CDC reports that the United States has the highest teenage pregnancy rate of all developed countries. About one million teenagers become pregnant each year; 95% of those pregnancies are unintended, and almost one third end in abortions.
It is estimated that the public costs from teenage childbearing totaled $120 billion from 1985–1990; $48 billion could have been saved if each birth had been postponed until the mother was at least 20 years old.
Birth rates during 1991–1996, declined for teenagers in all racial and ethnic groups. Birth rates among teenagers vary substantially from state to state; some states have rates almost three times higher than those of the states with the lowest rates.
Thirteen community partnerships in 11 states are implementing comprehensive, integrated youth programs to prevent teenage pregnancies and related problems. Eight nongovernmental organizations are supported to assist states to develop and implement strategies to prevent pregnancy among teenagers.[]
