Virginia s Teenage Pregnancy Rate is Declining

1. Virginia�s Teenage Pregnancy Rate is Declining The 2009 Virginia teenage pregnancy rate decreased to 24.3 per 1,000 females ages 10-19. This most recent rate is 7.6% lower than the 2008 rate which was 26.3 per 1,000 females. This decrease marks the second year in a row that the rate has significantly declined. Between 2000 and the most recent year for which data are available (2009), teenage pregnancy rate in Virginia has declined 22%. However, between 2004 and 2007, no statistically significant changes occurred in the state�s teenage pregnancy rate. The rates in 2006 and 2007 (27.3 and 27.2) were slightly higher than in 2004 and 2005 (26.5 both years). This four year plateau raised some concerns that teenage pregnancies may have started to rise again following several years of decreases. Such concerns were common across the nation, as the U.S. teen birth rate among 15 to 19 year olds increased 5% between 2005 and 2007 after 14 years of decreases. In 2008 the U.S. teen birth rate dropped slightly (2%) and 2009 national data are not yet published. (US teenage pregnancy rates are not available past 2006.) The last two years of data among Virginia resident teenagers, however, do show two consecutive years of significant decreases. In 2009, 950 fewer teenagers became pregnant compared to the previous year. Among teenagers, there were decreases in all three potential outcomes-there were fewer teen births, fewer fetal deaths, and fewer induced terminations between 2008 and 2009. The 2009 Virginia teenage pregnancy rate decreased to 24.3 per 1,000 females ages 10-19. This most recent rate is 7.6% lower than the 2008 rate which was 26.3 per 1,000 females. This decrease marks the second year in a row that the rate has significantly declined. Between 2000 and the most recent year for which data are available (2009), teenage pregnancy rate in Virginia has declined 22%. However, between 2004 and 2007, no statistically significant changes occurred in the state�s teenage pregnancy rate. The rates in 2006 and 2007 (27.3 and 27.2) were slightly higher than in 2004 and 2005 (26.5 both years). This four year plateau raised some concerns that teenage pregnancies may have started to rise again following several years of decreases. Such concerns were common across the nation, as the U.S. teen birth rate among 15 to 19 year olds increased 5% between 2005 and 2007 after 14 years of decreases. In 2008 the U.S. teen birth rate dropped slightly (2%) and 2009 national data are not yet published. (US teenage pregnancy rates are not available past 2006.) The last two years of data among Virginia resident teenagers, however, do show two consecutive years of significant decreases. In 2009, 950 fewer teenagers became pregnant compared to the previous year. Among teenagers, there were decreases in all three potential outcomes-there were fewer teen births, fewer fetal deaths, and fewer induced terminations between 2008 and 2009.

2. Virginia�s Late Preterm Birth Rate is Declining This slide shows the decline in the late preterm birth rate over the last 5 years. From 2005 to 2009, the rate of late preterm births decreased by 8% from 7.8% to 7.2%. Further, the number of late preterm births declined from about 8,100 to 7,500. This slide shows the decline in the late preterm birth rate over the last 5 years. From 2005 to 2009, the rate of late preterm births decreased by 8% from 7.8% to 7.2%. Further, the number of late preterm births declined from about 8,100 to 7,500.

3. By the Numbers

5. Definitions/Categories for Gestational Age The 2009 Virginia teenage pregnancy rate decreased to 24.3 per 1,000 females ages 10-19. This most recent rate is 7.6% lower than the 2008 rate which was 26.3 per 1,000 females. This decrease marks the second year in a row that the rate has significantly declined. Between 2000 and the most recent year for which data are available (2009), teenage pregnancy rate in Virginia has declined 22%. However, between 2004 and 2007, no statistically significant changes occurred in the state�s teenage pregnancy rate. The rates in 2006 and 2007 (27.3 and 27.2) were slightly higher than in 2004 and 2005 (26.5 both years). This four year plateau raised some concerns that teenage pregnancies may have started to rise again following several years of decreases. Such concerns were common across the nation, as the U.S. teen birth rate among 15 to 19 year olds increased 5% between 2005 and 2007 after 14 years of decreases. In 2008 the U.S. teen birth rate dropped slightly (2%) and 2009 national data are not yet published. (US teenage pregnancy rates are not available past 2006.) The last two years of data among Virginia resident teenagers, however, do show two consecutive years of significant decreases. In 2009, 950 fewer teenagers became pregnant compared to the previous year. Among teenagers, there were decreases in all three potential outcomes-there were fewer teen births, fewer fetal deaths, and fewer induced terminations between 2008 and 2009. The 2009 Virginia teenage pregnancy rate decreased to 24.3 per 1,000 females ages 10-19. This most recent rate is 7.6% lower than the 2008 rate which was 26.3 per 1,000 females. This decrease marks the second year in a row that the rate has significantly declined. Between 2000 and the most recent year for which data are available (2009), teenage pregnancy rate in Virginia has declined 22%. However, between 2004 and 2007, no statistically significant changes occurred in the state�s teenage pregnancy rate. The rates in 2006 and 2007 (27.3 and 27.2) were slightly higher than in 2004 and 2005 (26.5 both years). This four year plateau raised some concerns that teenage pregnancies may have started to rise again following several years of decreases. Such concerns were common across the nation, as the U.S. teen birth rate among 15 to 19 year olds increased 5% between 2005 and 2007 after 14 years of decreases. In 2008 the U.S. teen birth rate dropped slightly (2%) and 2009 national data are not yet published. (US teenage pregnancy rates are not available past 2006.) The last two years of data among Virginia resident teenagers, however, do show two consecutive years of significant decreases. In 2009, 950 fewer teenagers became pregnant compared to the previous year. Among teenagers, there were decreases in all three potential outcomes-there were fewer teen births, fewer fetal deaths, and fewer induced terminations between 2008 and 2009.