Teen pregnancy down in US

Fewer teenagers are becoming pregnant, according to two recent studies of 15- to 19-year olds. Abstinence and increased family-planning education are cited as helping the teen pregnancy rate fall to its lowest level since 1973.

Researchers at the Department of Health and Public Services found that teen pregnancies dropped 4 percent in 1996, to 880,000- just under 1 for every 10 teen girls in the 15 to 19 age group.

An Alan Guttmacher Institute study, showed pregnancy was down 17 percent from 1990. Teen abortion rates fell 3 percent in 1996 - a 31 percent decline from 1986. Kids who hang out with those who do well in school and don't drink or smoke are less likely to become pregnant.

Source: Associated Press and USA Today