The CDC released a report this month tracking American birth rates. One of the most notable changes is in the birth rate for teenagers: the birth rate dropped by a whopping 9% in 2016 compared to the previous year.
This big jump is part of a consistent decline over the years. CNN reports that the National Center for Health Statistics calculated that teen birth rate has dropped 67% since 1991.
This drop is due to increased contraception use among young people, reproductive health care think tank Guttmacher Institute found. In an analysis of data from 2007-2012, they found that despite no change in rates of teen sexual activity, birth rates dropped 28%. The report concluded:
Improvements in contraceptive use appear to be the primary proximal determinants of declines in adolescent pregnancy and birth rates in the United States from 2007 to 2012. Efforts to further improve access to and use of contraception among adolescents are necessary to ensure they have the means to prevent pregnancy.
While the study did not cover the most recent years, it’s likely the contraceptive use continued to at least be a partial driver in the reduced rates. Unfortunately, with the repeal and replacement of Obamacare on the line, the progress we’ve been seeing could soon be reversed.