Statement from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
1/26/2010
(Washington, DC) - The nation's teen pregnancy rate rose 3% in
2006, according to a report released today by the Guttmacher Institute.The increase in the national teen pregnancy
rate is the first since 1990.The
National Campaign released the following statement in response to the new data:
"The headline from this sobering report is that one of the
nation's shining success stories of the past two decades is in danger of
unraveling," said Sarah Brown, CEO of The National Campaign. "Given our tough economy and demanding job
market especially, anything that gets in the way of high school completion and at
least some higher education is a national emergency.Clearly, the nation's collective efforts to
convince teens to postpone childbearing must be more creative and more intense - and they must begin today."
The discouraging trends may actually have a modest silver
lining.They may provide those concerned
about too-early pregnancy and childbearing a fresh opportunity to make their
case to policymakers, parents, practitioners, and others.
In addition, the extraordinary declines in teen pregnancy
and childbearing over the past two decades have proven to cynics that progress
can be made on tough issues.But rates
can go up as well as down, and the
current reversal of progress requires a focused response.The Administration and Congress have taken an
important step in helping reverse the recent increases in teen pregnancy by
investing over $100 million in programs proven to help change teen behavior in
positive ways.
This new investment will address a basic fact: the only
teens getting pregnant are those having sex and not using contraception
consistently and carefully. "We must
insist that sexually active teens use contraception each and every time, and
make the education and services available to help them do so," said Brown.
More information from The National Campaign is available
here:
Read the full report from the Guttmacher
Institute.
About The National
Campaign.The National Campaign to
Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy seeks to improve the lives and future
prospects of children and families. Our specific strategy is to prevent teen
pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy among single, young adults. We support a combination
of responsible values and behavior by both men and women and responsible
policies in both the public and private sectors. If we are successful, child
and family well-being will improve. There will be less poverty, more
opportunities for young men and women to complete their education or achieve
other life goals, fewer abortions, and a stronger nation.
Visit www.TheNationalCampaign.org
for more information.
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