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Health & Fitness

Teen Repeat Births: A Significant Pattern

While teen birth rates continue to fall, there are still too many teen repeat births, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control.

While teen birth rates continue to fall, there are still too many teen repeat births, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The agency reported that almost one in five births to teen moms is a repeat birth–that is, the second (or more) pregnancy ending in a live birth before age 20.

The report highlights the ongoing need for health education and support for adolescents, their parents–and all women of reproductive age. There are several ways not only to ensure that the rate of adolescent pregnancy continues to decline (as it has since 2007), but also to prevent repeat teen pregnancies. These include linking pregnant and parenting teens to home-based and school-based programs and funding programs that offer clinical, nutritional and/or psychosocial support to this often-underserved group.

This is a unique opportunity to open the national conversation about safer sexual practices, birth spacing and birth control–especially long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Either an intra-uterine device or an implant in the arm, LARCs are the most effective form of birth control. They are safe for teens and, depending on the type, are effective for three to 10 years. These approaches, including LARC, are a golden opportunity to enhance teenagers’ long-term health.

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Parents of teens, what do you tell them about birth control and pregnancy? Teens, how do you and your friends talk about it? Tell us in the comments.

This post was written by Jill Rabin, MD, chief of ambulatory care; head of urogynecology at LIJ Medical Center; and professor of obstetrics/gynecology at the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.

Find out what's happening in Forest Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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Contents of the health blog are the property of North Shore-LIJ Health System and are provided as a health resource for consumers, health care professionals and members of the media. The medical content on the North Shore-LIJ Health Blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for consultation with your physician regarding diagnosis, treatment or any other form of specific medical advice.   These materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "North Shore-LIJ Health System," "North Shore-LIJ," "northshorelij.com," "VivoHealth," their related entities and logos are trademarks of the North Shore-LIJ Health System. Copyright © 2011 North Shore-LIJ Health System.  All rights reserved.

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