SACRAMENTO – (INT) - California’s adolescent birth rate continues to decline with a 62 percent drop over 13-years.

In 2015, there were 17.6 births per 1,000 females aged 15-19.

The adolescent birth rate decreased across all racial and ethnic groups between 2000 and 2015. During this time, the adolescent birth rate dropped among Hispanics from 77.3 to 27.0, among African-Americans from 59.1 to 19.7, among Whites from 22.3 to 6.9, and among Asians from 15.0 to 2.9.

Despite declining birth rates, racial disparities persist in adolescent childbearing in California. African-American and Hispanic adolescents were three to four times as likely to give birth as White females.

“By empowering young people with the knowledge, tools and resources to make healthy choices, California is succeeding in reducing births among adolescents,” said State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith.

Story Date: November 20, 2017