On Wednesday, May 26th, 2010, the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) released a report in The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality. The article, entitled, “Trends in Teen Pregnancy Rates from 1996-2006: A Comparison of Canada, Sweden, U.S.A., and England/Wales,” finds that the teen pregnancy rate in Canada declined by 36.9% between 1996 and 2006.
For more information on this topic, please see the article’s abstract below, followed by a sampling of news sources:
Abstract: This article summarizes and compares the most recent available data on ten-year teen birth/abortion rates in Canada, Sweden, U.S.A., and England/Wales. From 1996 to 2006, the teen birth/abortion rate declined by 36.9% in Canada, 25% in the U.S.A, and 4.75% in England/Wales, and increased 19.1% in Sweden. In 2006, the lowest teen birth/abortion rate per 1,000 women aged 15-19 was in Canada (27.9) followed by Sweden (31.4), England/Wales (60.3), and the U.S.A. (61.2). With respect to teen birth rates, in 2006, Sweden (6.0), and Canada (13.7) had rates substantially lower than in England/Wales (35.0) and the U.S.A. (41.9). Canadian interprovincial/territorial differences in teen pregnancy rates, and percentage declines from 1996 to 2006, as well as declines among women aged 15-19, 20-24, and 25-29 are examined. Potential factors contributing to trends in teen pregnancy rates are discussed.
McKay, Alexander, and Barrett, Michael. “Trends in Teen Pregnancy Rates from 1996-2006: A Comparison of Canada, Sweden, U.S.A., and England/Wales.” The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality 19.1-2 (Toronto: Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN), 2010): 43-52.
For the full-text article (when available), please visit the SIECCAN website.
News Sources:
CBC News online: “Canada’s Teen Pregnancy Rate Falls” Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Globe and Mail: “Canada’s Teen Birth and Abortion Rate Drops by 36.9 Per Cent” written by: Zosia Bielski, Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Vancouver Sun: “Canadian Teen Pregnancy Rate Dropping Faster Than U.S., Sweden, England” written by: Shannon Proudfoot, Canwest News Service, Wednesday, May 26th, 2010