Cornwall's teenage pregnancy rate halved since 1998

CORNWALL'S under 18 conception rate has fallen by more than half since 1998, new statistics reveal.

Data released today by the Office for National Statistics shows the number of teenage pregnancies is now less than half the baseline set in 1998 when the National Teenage Pregnancy Strategy began.

The data released today shows Cornwall’s annual conception rate to be 18.2 conceptions per 1000 women aged five to 17, a whopping 54.3 per cent decrease from the 1998 baseline of 39.8 per 1000.

This means Cornwall has not only exceeded the national target of a 50 per cent reduction in pregnancy rates, but has also outperformed the average reduction achieved across England and Wales of 40 per cent.

Today’s data release also brings Cornwall’s under 18 conception rate below 20 conceptions per 1000 for the first time and see’s Cornwall performing better than the South West average.

Cornwall Council remains committed to reducing the rate of under-18 conceptions and improving outcomes for young parents and their children through the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy and Action plan.

Teenage pregnancy is often associated with negative health outcomes for the mother and child and increased likelihood of them both living in long-term poverty.

In addition to this, many teenage conceptions are unintended.

Around half result in a termination, an avoidable burden for the young women affected.

Lex Gainsbury, who leads the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy at Cornwall Council said: “Today’s figures are fantastic news and are testament to the hard work of all our services and partners across Cornwall.

“It demonstrates that sustained effort from committed individuals at every level really makes a difference.

“We are over the moon to have achieved the national target but it is important that we do not become complacent and face the challenges ahead with the same vigour and enthusiasm as that which has got us this far.

“Evidence shows that the two factors that have the biggest impact on rates are access to young people friendly sexual health services and both formal and informal relationship and sex education, ensuring young people have the skills, knowledge and confidence to make positive choices about their sexual health now and in the future.