US Births Hit New Low for Women in Their Teens and 20s (843 hits)
Birth rates for US women in their teens and 20s dropped to new lows in 2012, according to preliminary data published online September 6 in the National Vital Statistics Reports, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. However, birthrates were up for women in their 30s and 40s. The overall number of births was approximately 3.95 million, which is not significantly different from the previous year. The figures are based on government data covering virtually all births in the country. Despite the overall stability in the number of births, the birth rate for women in their 20s declined to a record low of 83.1 births per 1000 women.
The birth rate for teenagers aged 15 to 19 years declined 6% between 2011 and 2012 to 29.4 births per 1000 teenagers, which is a historic low for that age group. In contrast, birth rates for women in their early 30s increased to 97.3 births per 1000 women, which represents an increase of nearly a full percentage point from the 2011 rate of 96.5. Moreover, after 3 consecutive years of declining birth rate among women in their latter 30s, figures for 2012 showed a 2% increase to 48.3 births per 1000 women. Birth rates also increased among women in their early 40s, to 10.4 births per 1000 women (up 1% from 2011), but remained essentially the same for women in their later 40s, at 0.7 births per 1000 women.
By 2020, there will be an estimated need for more than 2 million educated and skilled nurses. We’re looking to nurses like you to help prepare the next generation of nurse leaders. The report also includes a breakdown of data by ethnic groups, showing that fertility rates and the number of births either declined or remained unchanged among most groups. There were exceptions, however. For example, the fertility rate and number of births increased 7% among Asian women and 4% among women from the Pacific Islands. In addition, the rates for low birth weight and preterm births fell, but rates for cesarean deliveries remained the same, at 32.8%.
This study was supported by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. The authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships. Read more: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/810590...
..."The birth rate for teenagers aged 15 to 19 years declined 6% between 2011 and 2012 to 29.4 births per 1000 teenagers, which is a historic low for that age group."...
