Sexual Activity, Contraceptive Use, and Childbearing of Teenagers Aged 15-19 in the United States
Martinez, G.M.; Abma, J.C.
Nchs Data Brief 209: 1-8
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 1941-4927 PMID: 26199985 Document Number: 637074
Monitoring sexual activity and contraceptive use among U.S. adolescents is important for understanding differences in their risk of pregnancy. In 2013, the U.S. birth rate for teenagers aged 15-19 dropped 57% from its peak in 1991 (1), paralleling a decline in the teen pregnancy rate (1-2). But these rates are still higher than those in other developed countries (3-4). Using data from the 1988 to 2011-2013 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), this report provides trends and recent national estimates of sexual activity, contraceptive use, and childbearing among teenagers aged 15-19.