Kids Matter! - 2008

HEALTHY CHILDREN

Teen Births

Looking at the past six years, the total teen birth rate for mothers (ages 15-19) was at its highest in 2002, in which the rate was 65.0 per 1,000 females. Birth rates have since decreased, with the most recent total teen birth rate being 55.8 per 1,000 females (resulting in 510 births) in 2007. Black females in this age group continue to have teen birth rates that are more than twice that of White females. The rates for Hispanics teens are disproportionately higher, compared to Black or White teens.

Definition: Teen Birth Rate is defined as the total number of live births per 1,000 females in a specified age group (e.g. ages 15-19). In Chatham County there were a total of 510 births to mothers (ages 15-19) in 2007, hence, a rate of 55.8 per 1,000.

Formula: Teen Birth Rate: ((Total live births in age group / Total female population in age group) X 1000)