Teen Pregnancy
Since 2000, teenage pregnancy rates in Newport News have declined in parallel with rates statewide. In 2004, there were 536 teenage pregnancies or 85 pregnancies per 1,000 women 15-19 years old in Newport News—a 9 percent decrease from the rate in 2000. Newport News, however, had a teen pregnancy rate 1.6 times that of Virginia and 1.25 times that for all jurisdictions in Hampton Roads.
Teen mothers gave birth to 373 infants in 2004: 99 were born to teen mothers age 15-17 (25 per 1,000); 271 were born to teen mothers age 18-19 (119 per 1,000). Children born to teenage mothers are at greater risk for low birth weight, health problems, poor school performance, and abuse or neglect. Sons of teen mothers are more likely to end up in prison; daughters are more likely to become teen mothers themselves. Teen mothers are less likely to complete high school and are more likely to receive governmental assistance.
| 1990 | 2000 | 2004 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia |
48.5 |
62.4 |
52.3 |
| Peninsula |
55.2 |
74.0 |
58.9 |
| Newport News |
70.8 |
99.7 |
84.8 |