How is the teen pregnancy rate calculated?
The teen pregnancy rate in Alabama is calculated as the number of pregnancies occurring per 1,000 girls aged 10-19. Nationally, the rate is often calculated in the population of girls aged 15-19.
What is the teen pregnancy rate in Alabama?
The 2010 teen pregnancy rate in Alabama was 32.5. This is the most current data we have available.
What is the difference between a teen pregnancy rate and a teen childbearing rate?
The teen pregnancy rate refers to the number of pregnancies occurring in a specific population. The teen childbearing rate refers to the number of live births occurring in a specific population. The difference between the two rates is attributed to fetal loss (miscarriage) and abortion.
Click here to view the Alabama Department of Public Health's most recent teen pregnancy and teen birth statistics.
Click here to view teen pregnancy rates in Alabama by county.
How does Alabama rank nationally in teen pregnancy?
The most recent ranking of states is based upon 2005 teen pregnancy data. Alabama ranks 16th in the nation with a teen pregnancy rate of 73 in the population of girls aged 15 - 19. Click here to learn more.
What are the best practices in teen pregnancy prevention?
Best practices in teen pregnancy prevention include evidence-based prevention programs (also known as science-based programs). These programs have been rigorously evaluated and proven effective in changing behavior and reducing sexual risk-taking behavior among adolescents.
Details about evidence-based programs can be found at the following links:
Emerging Answers 2007
Science and Success
What Works 2011-2012
CDC Promoting Science-Based Approaches
What is the law in Alabama regarding sex education in public schools?
When taught in Alabama public schools, sex education must stress that “abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only completely effective protection against unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) when transmitted sexually.” Programs and curricula must also include “statistics based on the latest medical information that indicate the degree of reliability and unreliability of various forms of contraception, while also emphasizing the increase in protection against pregnancy and protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS infection, which is afforded by the use of various contraceptive measures.”
Click here to view Alabama's sex education law.
Click here to view an article written on this subject by ACPTP's executive director, Jamie Keith.
How can I get involved in the work of preventing teen pregnancy in Alabama?
You can get involved with teen pregnancy prevention in many different ways. Most importantly, you should stay informed about the issue. You can sign up for ACPTP’s eNewsletter to receive news to your inbox each month. You can also “like” us on Facebook and “follow” us on Twitter for daily news updates. You can advocate for evidence-based programs with resources from our Advocacy page. If you are a student, you can sign up to work with the Alabama Alliance for Healthy Youth to make an impact in your school and community. You can also support the Campaign. The ways to get involved are endless!
Here are some other sites to help you get involved:
Advocates for Youth - Get Involved
National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unintended Pregnancy - National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
