They're more likely to have low-birthweight babies. Their babies have disproportionately high infant mortality rates. And they're more likely to be poor. Recently, we announced that the birth rate for teenagers declined to its lowest rate since we started keeping records 60 years ago. While that's good news for America's families and for America's future, teen pregnancy remains a significant problem in this country.
Most teen pregnancies are unintended.
Each year, about 900,000 pregnancies occur among American teenagers aged 15-19. And almost 190,000 teens aged 17 and younger have children. With that in mind, the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy was created in response to the President and Vice-President's challenge to parents and leaders all across our country. To help meet that challenge, the Department of Health and Human Services has been working with millions of parents, teachers, coaches, religious leaders, business people and members of the media. Together, we've been working to provide girls and boys with common sense guidance, positive alternatives and the emotional support it takes to stand up to peer pressure.