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Teen Pregnancies Down 27 Percent Over 10 Years In NYC

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Teen pregnancies have dropped by 27 percent in New York City over a period of a decade, according to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

New data showed that among 1,000 girls ages 15 to 19, about 72 became pregnant in 2010 – the latest year for which figures were released. In 2001, there were about 99 girls getting pregnant per 1,000 in the city.

The department said the decline was larger among younger teenagers than among older teens: 32 percent in the 15-to-17 age group, and 24 percent for 18- and 19-year-olds.

Teen Pregnancies Down 27 Percent Over 10 Years In NYC

In the same decade, fewer high school students reported ever having sex. In 2001, 51 percent said they had, and in 2011, it was 38 percent, based on a representative sample of several thousand students who responded anonymously.

The department said there were more than 19,000 teen pregnancies in 2010, and 87 percent of those were unintended.

However, ``teens are delaying having sex, and they're more likely to use contraceptives,'' said Deborah Kaplan, assistant commissioner of the department's Bureau of Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health.

As a result of efforts to reduce pregnancies by educating middle and high school students, ``they're more aware of the risk,'' Kaplan said.

In addition, professional clinical services available to them include condoms and other birth control like the morning-after pill.

``Our efforts are having an impact,'' she said.

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(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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