Baltimore Sees Drop In Teen Birth Rate
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Baltimore officials say there's been a significant reduction in the city's birth rate among teens.
A news release from Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's office says Baltimore's teen birth rate is more than double the state average. But for the first time in several years, the news release says the city saw a significant drop.
Rawlings-Blake and Leana Wen, the city's health commissioner, are planning to discuss the drop at a news conference Tuesday morning.
The news release partially attributes the drop to a teen pregnancy prevention initiative.
The release says a high teen birthrate has significant implications for Baltimore's economy, as teens struggle to finish high school after becoming parents, making it more likely for them to fall into the cycle of unemployment, poverty and crime.
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