Report: Teen pregnancies are down, but gonorrhea is up

A new report from the University of Minnesota delves into teen pregnancy rates and sexual health — and the trends are mixed.

Fewer teens than ever are getting pregnant, according to report author and director of adolescent sexual health Jill Farris. Since 1990, pregnancy rates among 15 to 19 year olds dropped by 70 percent. She said that's proof of a trend toward effective contraceptive use.

On the other hand, teen rates of gonorrhea are up 40 percent and chlamydia is up 15 percent.

"Fewer young people are using condoms," she said. "Sometimes young people will start using them, but once one of the partners gets on a long term method of birth control, condom use will stop."

Farris gathered data on teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections from the state Department of Health, as well as from the annual student survey, carried out by the Department of Education.

Minnesota is ranked as one of the best states in the country at preventing teen pregnancy, but Farris said there are a few striking disparities.

Teens living in greater Minnesota are more likely to get pregnant, while metro area teens have a greater risk of sexually transmitted infections, or STIs.

She also found that the teen pregnancy rate is rising slightly among native Americans.

"[Teen pregnancy] rates among all the other racial and ethnic groups declined, some of them by a lot. To not see the same change in the American Indian community is disheartening," said Farris. "We want to figure out what's going on."

Farris hopes community leaders will use the report to shape education and local health programs.