Teen Birth Rates on the Rise

Pregnant Teens

(HealthDay News) — The teen birth rate is up for the first time in 15 years, and homicides among teens are up for the first time in 12 years, a new government report finds. Dr. Lisa Boesky, clinical psychologist and national speaker recently appeared on CBS’ The Early Show to discuss this phenomenon brought to the mainstream media because of the pregnancy pact among teens in Massachusetts On the plus side, there has been a drop in childhood deaths from injuries, and fewer eighth graders are smoking, according to the report, put out by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. The proportion of Asian and Hispanic children in the population has increased, which reflects the growing diversity among individuals of all ages across the country. A particularly disturbing trend was the increase in Homicides committed by teenagers– up for the first time since the early 1990’s. Other risky behaviors, such as alcohol and drug use did not increase or decrease. Read More..