July 11, 2012
Latina teen pregnancies at a record low
A new study conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that the teen pregnancy rates of Latinas in the U.S. are at an all-time low, down more than 30 percent than in the past years.
However there is still a big gap between Latina teen pregnancy rates and that of other races. In 2009, CNN reported that 53 percent of Latinas got pregnant during their teenage years, almost double the national average.
Experts say that better sexual education, access to contraception, and better healthcare played a very important role in the new low rate.
“I think what’s really critical is the fact that the CDC has attributed this to the access to birth control. I think that really emphasizes the importance of education and prevention,” Nora Vargas, Vice President of Community Engagement for Planned Parenthood.
According to the author of the study, many Latinas are “postponing” pregnancies until their late 20s and 30s. They have better opportunities for education and are getting married at an older age.
How do you feel about this? Do you know a teenage Latina who had a baby? Share your comments here.
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