Lowest ever teenage pregnancy rate a "great achievement" - University of Bedfordshire expert

Tue 24 February, 2015

The rate of under-18 conceptions in England has declined by 48% since 1998* according to data released today (Tuesday 24 February) by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Figures released for 2013 show that 24.3/1000 young women under-18 became pregnant, making it the lowest level since 1969 when records began.

Alison Hadley, Director of the Teenage Pregnancy Knowledge Exchange, at the University of Bedfordshire, who led the Labour Government’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, which began in 1999, said: "This is an incredible achievement which we should celebrate and is a great tribute to everyone who has worked so hard to bring down the rates.

"Reducing teenage pregnancy is a complex issue which has required sustained and concerted effort. It has succeeded with committed senior leadership, dedicated local practitioners, effective education programmes and easier access to contraception services for young people," said Alison.

She added: "Long-term prevention programmes take time to have their full impact. In the case of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, this is demonstrated by an increased acceleration in the annual reduction of teenage pregnancy rates since 2008."

However, despite the encouraging news, England continues to have higher rates than comparable western European countries.

There is also a big difference in progress between English regions. The West Midlands has achieved a reduction in the under-18 conception rate of 44% from 1998 to 2013, whereas Inner London's fall is 66%. The region with the highest rate is the North East at 30.6/1000 females, compared to the South East which has the lowest rate of 20.5/1000.

"We must continue to invest in young people's sexual health and ensure each successive generation has the information and services that they need, or the teenage pregnancy rate may well climb again. This work needs to be a continuing priority," Alison warned.

The Teenage Pregnancy Knowledge Exchange, at the University of Bedfordshire, is the national source of expert advice and information on teenage pregnancy, providing training, research and consultancy. Alison is also Teenage Pregnancy Advisor to Public Health England and working with the World Health Organisation to share the successful lessons of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy internationally.

*Data monitored since 1998, the baseline year for the Labour Government’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy.