Teen Pregnancies In Alabama Increase For The Second Consecutive Year

The number and rate of births and pregnancies among teenage girls in Alabama rose in the
past two years, reversing a downward trend in the teen pregnancy rate that had held steady for
almost a decade.


According to the Center for Health Statistics of the Alabama Department of Public Health, there
were an estimated 12,398 pregnancies in Alabama to females ages 10 to 19 for a pregnancy
rate of 39.7 in 2007, a rate which is virtually unchanged from the 2006 rate of 39.6. During the
years 1996 through 2005 the teen pregnancy rate decreased steadily from 57.1 to 37.5.


"We need to be aware that teen pregnancy is interrelated to health problems we're seeing with
infant mortality," said Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer. "Also, we are concerned that
risk behaviors seem to be increasing among our teenagers."


The 8,776 births to teens represented 13.7 percent of total births in the state. In 2005 Alabama
experienced its lowest percent of births to teenagers, 13.1 percent of all live births. Teen births
increased by 767 between 2005 and 2006 and by an additional 106 between 2006 and 2007.
The infant mortality rates for teenage mothers in 2007 compared with adult mothers in Alabama
made a statistically significant difference, 13.8 for teens versus 9.4 for adult mothers.


Jamie Keith, director of the Alabama Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, said, "Teen
pregnancy and childbearing have significant economic and community costs."


Teen mothers are less likely to obtain adequate prenatal care and to complete high school or
attend college. Children of teenage mothers are at greater risk for preterm birth, low birth
weight, poverty and welfare dependence.


Alabama Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, acptp.


Alabama Department of Public Health