In 2014, the National Bureau of Economic Research conducted and published a study suggesting a correlation between the premiere of the show in 2009 and a 5.7% of the total 17.6% decrease in teen births in the US in the 18 months following the premiere. At the time, it was unknown whether this was due to the premiere of 16 and Pregnant or the financial crisis of 2007–2008. However, the study had shown an increase in search activity about birth control and abortion and had sparked conversation on the subjects via Twitter. The study looked at four different factors to come up with their conclusion: exposure to the television show, increase in searches on birth control during times the show was also being searched, the areas of the searches and their correlation to when the show was airing there, and how popular the show was in those geographic areas. The study had concluded that there was indeed a correlation between viewership and the searching of these topics, indicating the show did have an effect on the decline of teen pregnancy rates at the time.They estimate that 1/3 of the decrease in teen pregnancy rate was directly due to the show airing. There was also a decrease in rates of abortion, but the study did not research the subject enough to know if that was due to the show as well.conducted and published a study suggesting a correlation between the premiere of the show in 2009 and a 5.7% decrease in teen births in the 18 months following the premiere. At the time, it was unknown whether this was due to the premiere of 16 and Pregnant or the