ABORTION AND TEEN PREGNANCY DROPPING
Abortion and teen pregnancy rates have steadily dropped since 1990, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention study. Overall, abortions fell 24% to 1.22 million in ’04 from a historical high of 1.61 million in ’90. Teen pregnancies declined during the same period, accounting for only 12% of all pregnancies in ’04, a drop from 15% in ’90. The lead researcher of the study noted an overall decline in total pregnancies and a new tendency among women to postpone child-bearing. Also, more women today are likely to have the baby rather than an abortion compared to ’90.
(Reuters 4/16/08)