Teen pregnancy rates rise for first time since 1988

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February 28, 2013

Teen pregnancy rates are on the rise for the first time in more than a decade, according to a new study released by Guttmacher Institute. The study looked at rates of teenage pregnancy, birth and abortion, and numbers of teenage pregnancies, births, abortions and miscarriages, by state from 1988 to 2008.

Map

Graphic: Guttmacher Institute

Highest pregnancy rates

According to the study, in 2008, New Mexico had the highest teenage pregnancy rate with 93 pregnancies per 1,000 girls age 15-19.

The next highest rates were found in Mississippi, Texas, Nevada, Arkansas and Arizona.

Lowest pregnancy rates

New Hampshire had the lowest rate in 2008, 33 pregnancies per 1,000 girls, according to Guttmacher. Following behind were Vermont, Minnesota, North Dakota and Massachusetts.

Abortion rates

According to the study, teenage abortion rates in 2008 were highest in New York with 37 abortions per 1,000 girls age 15-19. Other states with the highest rates included Delaware, New Jersey, Hawaii and Connecticut.

The study also indicated that more than half of teenage pregnancies ended in abortion in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

Abortion rates were lowest in South Dakota, 5 per 1,000, Utah, Nebraska and Kentucky, according to the study.

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