New CDC Report Shows that Sex Education and Contraception Work, Planned Parenthood Federation of America Says

As the nation’s leading and most trusted provider of reproductive health care and sex education, Planned Parenthood works every day to prevent teen pregnancy.

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Birth Rates for U.S. Teenagers Reach Historic Lows for All Age and Ethnic Groups, shows that teen birthrates have continued to decline across all ethnic and racial groups.

As the authors of the report note, these historic declines have most likely been driven by increased use of contraception and strong pregnancy prevention messages aimed at teenagers.

But while the new study offers good news, it also shows there is still work to be done to further reduce teen birthrates, particularly the disparities experienced by African-American and Latino teens.

“What this data shows, plain and simple, is that we can reduce teen pregnancy rates through sex education and access to contraception. We know what works — now we have to make it work for more young people,” said Leslie Kantor, vice president of education for Planned Parenthood Federation of America.  “There are still disparities in communities of color, and many young people still don’t get comprehensive sex education or have access to contraception. This data is very good news, but we can’t rest until all young people have the information and services that are proven to reduce teen pregnancy rates.”