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In 2010, the U.S. teen birth rate of 34.3 per 1000 females was 44% lower than in 1990. To characterize the underlying trends in sexual behavior, the CDC analyzed results of the National Center for Health Statistics in-person survey of teens (age range, 15–19) in which they were asked about their sexual activity and what, if any, contraceptive methods they used. The survey was conducted in 1995, 2002, and 2006 through 2010.
Compared with 1995 data, the most recent results show:
The proportion of female teens who had never had sex (i.e., vaginal intercourse) increased from 49% to 57%.
Abstinence rates rose by more in blacks (34% increase) and Latinas (29%) than in whites (15%), negating prior interracial differences.
Current use of intrauterine a…