Teen Birth Rate Highest In State of Mississippi
According to the CDC the state of Mississippi has the highest teen birth rate in America.
The finding comes from a new report released today, ranking states on their teen pregnancy rates.
For the report, CDC researchers analyzed the numbers of new birth certificates that were issued back in 2006.
The states of Texas and New Mexico, which previously shared the lead in teen birth rates, had rates 50% higher than the national average.
If this is not bad enough, Mississippi had a teen pregnancy rate 60% higher than the national average.
Researchers say that one of the main reasons why birth rates are up in these states is due to a large population of black and Hispanic teenagers, demographics known to hav higher birth rates.
In total, up to 26 states reported increased numbers of teen births than in previous years.
The lowest teen birth rates in America were found in the states of New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts.