Statement from Debra Hauser

Washington, DC – Advocates for Youth applauds progress in reducing the teen pregnancy rate in the United States. A new study from the Guttmacher Institute documents that the teen pregnancy rate among 15 to 19 year olds has fallen to its lowest level in nearly 40 years.  The study finds that while there has been no change in the overall proportion of young women who have ever had sex, there has been a drop in pregnancy. The researchers attribute this drop to more effective contraceptive use among young people.

“The research proves the importance of making family planning services accessible to young people,” said Debra Hauser, Executive Director of Advocates for Youth. “Unfortunately, as a country, we are now moving in the wrong direction when it comes to birth control access for women, especially young women. At a time when the U.S. should double down on its efforts to further reduce teen pregnancy rates by making contraception more accessible for young people, ideology and politics as usual are trumping science.”

“In December, President Obama decided, against all scientific evidence, to restrict access to back-up birth control, emergency contraception. Congress then resurrected funding for discredited abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. Now, we are waiting to see the Administration’s next move on birth control. While President Obama came out in favor of no-copay birth control coverage, the Administration is now suggesting it may bow to pressure from the Catholic Bishops. If the Administration expands the already existing religious exemptions to include all religiously affiliated institutions, it would deny access to birth control to millions of people who work or attend school at Catholic universities.”

“When science demonstrates the need for fostering and expanding the use of birth control, we cannot allow the health and well being of young Americans to be hijacked by politics and ideology.”  

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Advocates for Youth is a national organization that promotes programs and advocates for policies that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health.