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Teen Childbirth Rates In Arizona Drop To Historic Lows

New figures from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention show teen birth rates in Arizona and around the country have dropped to historic lows.

They’re down nearly 40 percent since 2001 in Arizona , but still among the highest in the United States . The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy finds more teens delaying sex and more using contraceptives.

Paula Gianino of Planned Parenthood says the trend does not apply in all areas though.

“We see in both rural and urban areas of low socio-economic status, a high rate of teen pregnancy and teen childbirth,” Gianino said.

She says the majority of Arizona teens graduate without receiving any sexual-health education. Schools in the state are not required to teach sex education, but if they do, are required to teach abstinence as the only completely effective protection against unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.