Family Section Teen Birth Rate Indicator

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Family: Teen Birth Rate Indicator

Teen birth rates in DuPage County remain constant, and well below state and national rates, which are on the decline.

ABOUT THE INDICATOR

Although teen birth rates are related to many different factors, they are included as an indicator within the Family section because they impact the current and future stability of families. This indicator shows the number of teens between the ages of 15 to 19 who gave birth for every 1,000 females in that age group. Teen birth rates for DuPage County are compared with rates for Illinois and the United States.

OBSERVATIONS

In 2001, 18.8 out of 1,000 females aged 15 to 19 years in DuPage County gave birth. This represents a slight decline from rates in the five preceding years. The teen birth rate in DuPage County is less than half the rate for Illinois and for the U.S. overall. Notably, teen birth rates in the state and the nation have been dropping steadily since 1996.

TAPESTRY

Although the teen birth rate in DuPage County is low, the problems associated with teen births are well documented and cannot be ignored. Studies show that teen mothers and their babies face greater health risks because pregnant teenagers are less likely to seek timely prenatal care; indeed, many receive no care at all. As a result, babies born to teenagers are at a higher risk for low birth weight. According to a recent DuPage County Health Department report, 7 percent of all babies born to teen mothers in the county in 2000 weighed less than 5 pounds 9 ounces, which is considered a low birth weight. The report also noted that 13 percent of teen mothers had no prenatal care or began care in their third trimester.

The percentages were even higher among mothers in the 15-17 year age range: 19 percent had no prenatal care or began care in their third trimester, and 22 percent of the babies born to these younger teens were of low birth weight.

Births to teenage mothers are likely to place increased demands on the teenager’s extended family as well as the community’s network of social services. Teenage mothers typically are not financially able to support a child on their own, and most are unmarried. The birth of a child often prevents a teenager from finishing high school, much less college, which reduces her chances of finding employment that pays enough to support a family. In 2000, 53 percent of teenage mothers in DuPage County had less than a high school education, and 72 percent were unmarried. Moreover, some of these teens are giving birth for a second or third time, which adds to the financial strains on the teenager and her family.

Teen births impact families and communities in different ways. The tapestry component of this indicator must consider the family/community link inherent with the issue of teen births. There are many direct and indirect factors that contribute to teen pregnancy rates and resulting teen birth rates. Developing specific strategies to address these factors, including strategies that educate teens about contraceptives or abstinence to avoid pregnancy, depends on public policy, community education, and resource allocation and availability. Implementing these strategies requires a strong sense of community and family support.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE

DuPage County Health Department (630)682-7400
Greater DuPage Meld for Young Mothers (MYM) (630)790-4530
Metropolitan Family Services (630)682-1802