Trends in the adolescent birthing population in California, 1990-2012

The adolescent birthrate in California decreased by 40.7 births per 1,000 females aged 15-19 between 1990 and 2012. Although birthrate reductions occurred across all categories of youth (e.g., race, age), the size of the reduction varied.  This paper seeks to describe how these differential reductions have affected the profile of the adolescent birthing population over time and implications of such changes for policy and prevention. 

To address this question we examined vital statistics records for California births to mothers under age 20 across three time periods, 1990-1992, 2000-2002, and 2010-2012.  Specifically, we examined variation in number and rate of births; age, race/ethnicity, and marital status of mothers; age of father; rates and numbers of preterm and low-birth weight births; and, timing and payment source of prenatal care. 

Results indicate that the adolescent birthing population has shifted in a number of meaningful ways between 1990 and 2012.  For example, in 1990, approximately 36% of adolescent mothers were aged 15 – 17 and 32% were married.  By 2012, these numbers decreased to 30% and 5%, respectively. Additionally, in 2012, adolescent mothers were more likely to be close in age to their child’s father, be of Hispanic ethnicity, and receive prenatal care in the first trimester.   In contrast, the rate of preterm births and percentage of low-birth rate births did not change.  

Changes in the profile of adolescents giving birth have important implications for supporting the life course options of adolescent parents and the prevention strategies needed to continue reducing unintended adolescent childbearing.