Figures published today show the biggest drop for five years in teenage conception rates, confirmation that the Government’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy is working. The decline in the under 18 conception rate in England contrasts sharply with increases in the conception rate for all other age groups, highlighting the impact of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy. I would like to congratulate the 89 per cent of local authorities where rates are continuing to fall - further evidence that where areas apply our Teenage Pregnancy Strategy effectively, we are getting results. In areas such as Torbay, Stockton-on-Tees, Enfield, Norfolk and Leeds teenage pregnancy rates still remain unacceptably high and Beverley Hughes, along with the Department of Health, will be looking closely at what more these and other areas need to do to get their rates down. read more

Technorati Tags: teenage, pregnancy, strategy, areas, local, rates, pregnancy news