Annually, the CDC calculates the trends of United States residents based on data from the prior year. As a result, this recent birth rate tabulation is based on data collected from 2006 and an overview of 99 percent of the births in the United States. It is now featured in a new report “Births: Preliminary Data for 2006.”
The new data reveals a 3 percent increase in birth rates of teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 19. In hard numbers, 2005 birth rates per every 1,000 females in these demographics were 40.5 live births and 2006 birth rates per every 1,000 females in the same demographics were 41.9 live births. Although a 3 percent rise is not extremely high, it is shocking since the birth rate amongst teen girls had fallen 34 percent from it's highest peak of 61.8 births per 1,000 females in 1991.
This sudden increase brings up a lot of questions. One being, is it a new trend that will continue on amongst American teen girls? The other being, who (within the demographics) is driving the numbers up?
Thankfully, according to Stephanie Ventura (head of the Reproductive Statistics Branch at the CDC), it's too early to know if this higher birthing rate amongst teen girls will spark a trend. However, it is clear who within these demographics is experiencing the highest increase in birth rates. Unfortunately, non-Hispanic black teens lead the numbers in live births versus White, Indian and Hispanic teens. Also, older teens, between the ages of 18-19 have higher numbers than their younger counterparts.
During the press release, no information was discussed as to how the American public should react to this new date. Yet, it is sure to spark new programs and innovative ideas within advocacy groups and other agencies that serve teenage girls in the United States.
Other interesting data reflected in this report deals with a rise in certain categories of birthing that probably go hand and hand with teenage pregnancy. Birth rates amongst unmarried women increased in 2006. Pre-term births and low birth-weight rates rose in 2006.
A final report from the CDC will be completed later and will reflect the same data, but in more detail. The release date for this report is not listed on the website as of yet.
Did you know?
The CDC also revealed in their new report that the overall fertility rate for women aged 15-44 has risen and is the highest it's been since 1971. U.S. birthing of live babies is now high than what is needed to replace the deaths.
