Teen Birth Rates Continue Downward Trend In Hennepin County
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Teen births are on the decline in Hennepin County, according to newly released figures.
The county's 14.6 percent year-to-year decrease compares to an 11.6 percent decrease statewide.
"This has been a long-term focus of Hennepin County, to arm youth to make informed decisions about their sexual health, and to assure access to reproductive health care and caring, approachable adults who can answer their questions and provide guidance," manager of the county's teen pregnancy program Kathy Wick said in a statement from the Minnesota Department of Health.
Four-hundred and seventy-seven girls between the ages of 15 and 19 gave birth last year. That's compared to 1,100 back in 2011. Health officials note, however, that teen births are trending up among some groups, including ethnic minorities, those in foster care and those in the corrections system.
