U.S. Teens at Greater Risk for Unplanned Pregnacies
New
findings reveal that sexually active teens are at a greater risk of unintended
pregnancies than previously thought.
Previous
calculations surveyed the total numbers of teens sexually active or not. In a
more recent study by Lawrence B. Finer, director of domestic research at the
Guttmacher Institute, a new calculation evaluated the ratio of sexually active
teen girls only along with pregnancies and found that the numbers are much
higher than formerly considered.
As
parents we must ensure that teen girls between the ages of 15-19 are well
informed of all risks before they become sexually active.
To
read the full study here: “Unintended Pregnancy Among U.S. Adolescents: Accounting
for Sexual Activity,” by Lawrence B. Finer, director of domestic
research at the Guttmacher Institute . The article will appear in a forthcoming
issue of the Journal of
Adolescent Health and is currently available online.
