By Associated Press – 15 Sept ’14
Teen birth rates fell in Wyoming are down for the sixth consecutive year.
A report released by the Wyoming Department of Health shows 30.2 births per 1,000 girls ages 15-19 in the state in 2013. The number had been as high as about 50 births in 2007. The national rate in 2012 was 29.4 births per 1,000 for girls the same age.
Wyoming health officials attribute the decline at the state level to improvements in teens’ access to reproductive services and education.
Ashley Busacker is senior epidemiology adviser for maternal and child health at the Wyoming Department of Health.
Busacker tells the Casper Star-Tribune that awareness and education about reproductive health services are critical to reducing the rate.
