The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported the 2013 preliminary data on birth rates in the US by the National Center for Health Statistics and the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a biennial survey reporting on health behaviors of youth. Combined the reports made two major announcements regarding teen birthrates and teen sexual activity:
- The 2013 preliminary birthrate for teenagers age 15-19 was 26.6 births per 1000 women, down 10% from 2012 (29.4), down 36% from 2007 (41.5) and down 57% since 1991 (61.8).1
- Most teens have never had sex. The current rate is down 13% since 1991 when the YRBS began, from 54.1 to 46.8.2
Other Key findings for teen birthrates
- Birthrates for teens age 15-17 and 18-19 fell in 2013 to 12.3 and 47.4 births per 1000 women, respectively record lows for both groups. Since 1991 the rates for teens age 15-17 have declined 68% whereas the rate for teens aged 18-19 have declined 50%.1
- The birthrate for teenagers 10-14 was 0.3 births per 1000 in 2013, down from 0.4 in 2012, an historic low. The number of births decreased 15% in 2013, to 3,108, the lowest number of births to this group ever reported for the nation.3
Other Key findings for teen sexual activity are shown in the chart below:2
| Behavior | 1991 (%) | 2011 (%) | 2013 (%) | % since 1991 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ever had sex | 54.1 | 47.4 | 46.8 | -13% |
| Currently sexually active | 37.5 | 33.7 | 34.0 | -9% |
| Had 4 or more lifetime partners | 18.7 | 15.3 | 15.0 | -20% |
| Had sex before 13 | 10.2 | 6.2 | 5.6 | -45% |
| Used condom at last sex | 46.2 | 60.2 | 59.1 | +28% |
| Birth Control Pill | 20.8 | 18 | 19.0 | * |
| Birth Control Pill; IUD or Implant; or Shot, Patch, or Birth Control Ring Use | 23.3 | 25.3 | ** | |
| Condom Use and Birth Control Pill; IUD or Implant; or Shot, Patch, or Birth Control Ring Use | 9.5 | 8.8 | ** | |
| Did Not Use Any Method to Prevent Pregnancy | 16.5 | 12.2 | 13.7 | -17% |
| Drank Alcohol or Used Drugs Before Last Sexual Intercourse | 21.6 | 22.1 | 22.4 | * |
*Did not change significantly.
** The response options this variable is based on were used for the first time in 2011, therefore linear and quadratic trends are not available.
Read the entire CDC 2013 YRBS report here.
Key Implications of these reports
Current evidence suggests that parent connectedness can protect adolescents and young adults from sexual and reproductive health outcomes such as, becoming sexually active, having a first sexual experience at a young age, contracting an STI, and becoming pregnant. Therefore, it is important for parents to stay involved in the lives of adolescents and young adults. Effective parenting and open communication can guide youth to healthier sexual decision making. Regular conversations on sexual health with them may be one of the most powerful tools against risky adolescent sexual behaviors.4
References:
1 Martin, JA, et al. Births: Final Data for 2012. National Vital Statistics Report; vol 62 no 9. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2013
2 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance — United States, 2013
3 Ventura SJ et al. Births to teenagers in the United States. 1940-2000. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 49 no 10. Hyattsville, MD National Center for Health Statistics 2001.
4 Building Family Connections. MI Resource
Fast Fact for the Month
Despite condom use at last intercourse having increased 28% since 19912, sexually active teens are still at great risk considering one half of all STI’s in the US occur in 15-24 year olds1 each year.
Reference:
1 CDC Fact Sheet, Incidence, Prevalence, and Cost of STI in the US, Feb 2013
2 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance — United States, 2013
Notes
“Teen Birthrates and Teen Sexual Activity Hit New Record Lows,” Medical Institute for Sexual Health e-newsletter, 2 July 2014. Accessed 2 July 2014.