Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Teen Birth Rates in the United States
Sources: Data for 1990-2015 come from the National Center for Health Statistics’ 2015 National Vital Statistics Report. Data for 2016-2020 are drawn from the National Center for Health Statistics’ 2020 National Vital Statistics Report. Data for 2021 come from the National Center for Health Statistics’ Vital Statistics Rapid Release, Births: Provisional data for 2021.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Teen Birth Rates
In 2020, the birth rates for teens ages 15 to 19 who identified as Hispanic (23.5 births per 1,000), non-Hispanic Black (24.4), non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native (25.7), and non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (22.6) remained higher than for teens who identified as non-Hispanic White (10.4) or non-Hispanic Asian (2.3).[1] Continued racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes, including teen births, are tied to persistent structural and interpersonal racism in the United States.
Trends in Sexual Activity and Contraceptive Use Among Teens
Changes in teen birth rates are driven by changes in sexual activity and contraceptive use, although the relative role of each has varied over time. Two data sets are used to monitor trends in sexual activity and contraceptive use among teens in the United States:
- The Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System (YRBSS): This survey collects data from youth enrolled in 9th to 12th grades.
- The National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG): This survey includes adolescents ages 15 to 19.
Data on trends in sexual activity and contraceptive use vary somewhat across these data sets, likely due to differences in sampling strategies and how questions are worded. For example, data from the NSFG show that the percent of female teens ages 15 to 19 who had ever had sexual intercourse did not change much from 2002 to 2017. However, the YRBSS, which includes a slightly younger sample of youth, did show a decline in sexual experience over a similar time frame, especially among females in 9th and 10th grades. In fact, from 1991 to 2019, data from the YRBSS show a 29 percent decrease in the proportion of high school students who reported ever having had sex.
Footnote
[1] Final birth data by race and ethnicity for 2021 were not yet available when this data point was written.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article discusses racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes, specifically focusing on teen birth rates. These disparities are connected to structural and interpersonal racism, highlighting the need for improved health and well-being (SDG 3) for all communities. Additionally, the article touches on gender inequalities in teen birth rates, as well as the disparities between different racial and ethnic groups. This aligns with SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Lastly, the article emphasizes the impact of persistent structural racism on health outcomes, highlighting the need to reduce inequalities (SDG 10).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information, and education.
- Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
- Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including through eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action.
The article highlights the need for universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including family planning information and education, to address the disparities in teen birth rates (Target 3.7). It also indirectly addresses the need to eliminate harmful practices such as early marriage, as early sexual activity can contribute to teen pregnancies (Target 5.3). Additionally, the article emphasizes the impact of structural and interpersonal racism on health outcomes, highlighting the need to reduce inequalities and eliminate discriminatory practices (Target 10.3).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.
- Indicator 5.3.1: Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18.
- Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of people who report having experienced discrimination or harassment in the previous 12 months based on a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.
The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, the following indicators can be used to measure progress:
- Indicator 3.7.1 can measure the proportion of women who have access to family planning services and education, which can help reduce teen pregnancies.
- Indicator 5.3.1 can measure the prevalence of early marriages, which is linked to early sexual activity and increased risk of teen pregnancies.
- Indicator 10.3.1 can measure the prevalence of discrimination and harassment based on race, ethnicity, and other grounds, which can contribute to health disparities and inequalities in outcomes.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
---|---|---|
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information, and education. | Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods. |
SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation. | Indicator 5.3.1: Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18. |
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including through eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action. | Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of people who report having experienced discrimination or harassment in the previous 12 months based on a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law. |
Source: childtrends.org