May is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is doing a lot to raise awareness. In fact, a recent report of preliminary date released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that teen birth rates fell in all but three states during 2007–2010. Teen birth rates by state vary significantly, reflecting in part differences in the population composition of states by race and Hispanic origin. In addition, the report showed that:

• The U.S. teen birth rate declined 9 percent from 2009 to 2010, reaching a historic low at 34.3 births per 1,000 women aged 15–19; the rate dropped 44 percent from 1991 through 2010.
• Teen birth rates by age and race and Hispanic origin were lower in 2010 than ever reported in the United States.
• Fewer babies were born to teenagers in 2010 than in any year since 1946. If the teen birth rates observed in 1991 had not declined through 2010 as they did, there would have been an estimated 3.4 million additional births to teens during 1992–2010.¹

If you would like to read the full report, you can find it here.

Events

The Second Annual Event in recognition of National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month will also include an event hosted by the Office of Adolescent Health, the Administration for Children and Families, the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Population Affairs, and Office on Women's Health. The event will include experts and program leaders about the importance of engaging adolescent males in strategies to prevent teen pregnancies and network with Federal and non-profit leaders who share your interests. During the event, you can browse resource tables hosted by Federal agencies and connect with colleagues.

Let’s Hear about the Boys: Engaging Adolescent Males in Teen Pregnancy Prevention

Tuesday, May 8, 2012, 10 – 11.30 a.m.
Great Hall, The Hubert H. Humphrey Building,
200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC  20201

Speakers will include:

• The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
• Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health
• Evelyn Kappeler, Acting Director, Office of Adolescent Health
• Andrew Levack, Senior Technical Advisor, EngenderHealth
• Stephen Powell, Executive Director, Mentoring USA
• Catherine Watson, Director, Baltimore City Health Department Adolescent and Reproductive Health Services

Space is limited so reserve your seat by registering here on or before Thursday, May 3.  Contact Sabrina Nettles at snettles@childtrends.org with questions or for assistance. 

For more information about teen pregnancy prevention:

Office of Adolescent Health: Teen Pregnancy and Childbearing

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Teen Pregnancy