NARAL Pro-Choice America Statement on Rise in Teen-Pregnancy Rate

Washington, D.C. — Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, today issued the following statement in response to new data on U.S. teen-pregnancy rates released by the Guttmacher Institute. The report reveals a rise in teen-pregnancy rates in 2006 after a decade of decline.

"As a former teacher and state superintendent of schools, I'm deeply concerned by the news that shows the nation's teen-pregnancy rate increased by three percent in 2006. The Guttmacher study is the latest evidence that our nation is facing an adolescent-reproductive health crisis, with one in four teenage girls having a sexually transmitted disease and one-third of teenage girls becoming pregnant before reaching the age of 20.

"This study confirms our worst fears – and means we have to do something about this crisis. Our teens need accurate information to stay healthy and protect themselves from STDs and unintended pregnancy. NARAL Pro-Choice America will work with fair-minded lawmakers to continue to ensure that teens have the accurate information they need to make responsible decisions to help them prevent unintentional pregnancy and avoid sexually-transmitted diseases. I also urge parents who are learning about those new figures to check in with their teens about this issue. Good family communication, based on realistic and effective policies, will help us address this emerging crisis in a thoughtful and constructive way."