Teen pregnancy and birth rates among all teens have declined by about one-third since the early 1990s. Even so, the Latino teen pregnancy rate is almost twice the national average and has declined about half as fast as the national rate. At present, the National Campaign estimates that 51% of Latinas get pregnant at least once by age 20 (compared to 3 in 10 nationally). In addition, a new summary analysis of existing data prepared by the National Campaign also shows that the birth rate for Latinas aged 15-19 increased in 16 of 37 reporting states and the District of Columbia between 1990 and 2005.

For these reasons and others, the National Campaign has begun a new initiative focused specifically on helping the Latino community in its efforts to reduce continued high rates of adolescent pregnancy and childbearing.

For more information on the Latino Initiative, please please contact Ruthie Flores, Senior Manager, Latino Initiative, at 202-478-8504.

The National Campaign would like to offer our sincere thanks to the generous sponsors of the Latino Initiative. Special thanks to the Summit Fund of Washington, the Turner Foundation, and the Abbott Fund.