U.S. Teen birth rate hits a record low

Oh baby how low can you go?

The youthful birth rate in the US fell by 9% from the previous year to a record low in 2016, according to the new government report.

The decline in youth maternity rates follows a long-term trend. The data just published show that the youthful birth rate for women between the ages of 15 and 19 has decreased by 67% since 1991. The number of births for women aged 15-19 years was 209,480 last year.

Elise Berlan, MD, of the Nationwide Children's Hospital, called the youthful rate a "phenomenal decline", adding the drop to better access and use of contraceptives. "We know that the overwhelming majority of youthful births are unintentional."