Serving Franklin County, WA
Serving Franklin County, WA
18% fewer girls giving birth in Adams County
RITZVILLE — Teenage pregnancies have declined in Adams County at a higher rate than any other county in Washington over the last five years.
According to a recent health study, the teenage birth rate dropped 18% during that time. Adjacent Franklin County also saw a healthy decline in teenage birth rates. There, the rate dropped by 14% over the last five years, the study reported. Yakima County wasn’t far behind, with a decrease of 13%.
And adjacent Grant County declined by 12%, the study reported.
Health officials said the decline in the number of teenage girls getting pregnant and having babies will improve health, education and economic opportunities for girls growing up in the county.
The study was conducted nationwide, with Washington state coming in 39th among states reducing teen birth rates.
As a state, teenage girls giving birth decreased only 5% over the last five years.
Nationwide, New Mexico led all states in reducing teen birth rates. New Mexico’s rate declined 11% .
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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