Teen Pregnancy Rates Decrease in South Carolina

Posted on 9/10/07

Columbia, SC: Recent data shows the number of pregnancies to teens of all races and age groups in South Carolina has decreased. In 2005, according to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), 9,147 girls ages 10-19 became pregnant. This represents a decrease of 4.1%, or 396 pregnancies, from the number of teens who became pregnant in 2004. The five counties with the highest number of teen pregnancies in 2005 were Greenville (709), Charleston (705), Richland (701), Spartanburg (641), and Horry (433).

Teen pregnancy rates in 2005 are the lowest they have ever been in the state and represent a 29% decrease since 1994. Forrest L. Alton, Executive Director of the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, states, "The continued decline of teen pregnancies in our state has exceeded even our own expectations. A reduction in the teen pregnancy rate by nearly 1/3 over the last decade is absolutely amazing."

Even amidst substantial decreases there is a need for continued support of and investment in teen pregnancy prevention initiatives. Now, more than ever, it is important for parents, family members, policy makers, and public leaders to continue investing in our teens:

  • Despite decreases in our state's teen pregnancy rates, South Carolina still has rates that exceed rates in other states and those at the national level.
  • Teen pregnancy has a tremendous impact on not only the teen mother and her baby, but also society. Data from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy shows that reductions in teen pregnancy rates in South Carolina throughout the 1990s saved our state more than $56 million in 2004 alone.
  • A new group of young people become teenagers each year. Prevention efforts must be constantly updated to match the needs of an ever-changing population.
  • Research shows that a comprehensive, age-appropriate approach to teen pregnancy can be effective.

The steady decrease in teen pregnancies that South Carolina has experienced is a reflection of the hard work of many grassroots teen pregnancy prevention programs throughout South Carolina. But, according to Alton this is no time to lose focus. "This good news provides us a chance to celebrate, but also the opportunity to refocus our efforts and continue implementing programs and strategies that have been shown to be effective. There is certainly no time for complacency." About the South Carolina Campaign:

The mission of the SC Campaign is to prevent adolescent pregnancy in South Carolina through education, technical assistance, advocacy, public awareness, and research. To achieve its mission, the SC Campaign works with a variety of programs -- public, private, school and community based -- in each of the state's 46 counties.

» Download available: 2007Map.pdf