Mixed News for Michigan Teens in New Report

Fewer Michigan teens are getting pregnant or dying violent deaths than a decade ago, but researchers are seeing a troubling increase in the number of high school dropouts, according to the Kids Count in Michigan report, published by the Michigan League for Human Services and Michigan’s Children. The report, which examined data from 1990 to 2000, was released today. Jane Zehnder-Merrell of MLHS credited the decline in pregnancies to increased education about HIV/AIDS and higher availability of contraceptives. Zehnder-Merrell said an increase in after-school activities and jobs also kept teens busy during critical evening hours. Many of those after-school programs are paid for with funding to encourage abstinence, she said. Teen pregnancies dropped for those ages 15 to 17, particularly among minorities. There were 23.7 births per 1,000 teenagers -- or 4,481 -- in 2000, down from 35.1 births per 1,000 teenagers -- or 6,733 -- in 1990.

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