New CDC Data Shows That More Teens Are Using Effective Contraception – But That More Young People Need Access, Planned Parenthood Federation of America Says

Data released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) includes a number of positive trends that have contributed to a 44 percent decline in the teen birthrate since 1990. The use of the most effective birth control methods is up among all groups and a growing number of teens are waiting until they are older to become sexually active. The proportion of teens who have never had sex does not differ based on race or ethnicity.  However, the new data, which is based on the National Survey of Family Growth and reported in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, also shows that African-American and Latino teens are less likely than white teens to use highly effective birth control methods such as the IUD, pill, patch, ring, or shot.  African-American and Latino youth are also more likely than whites to use no method of contraception.