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This report presents preliminary data for 1999 on births in the United States. U.S. data on births are shown by age, race, and Hispanic origin of the mother. Data on marital status, prenatal care, cesarean delivery, and low birthweight rate are also presented. Data are based on a more than 97% sample of births for 1999. The crude birth rate in 1999 was 14.5% per 1,000 population, a slight decline from 1998 (14.6), returning to the level of 1997. However, the fertility rate, limited to women aged 15 to 44 years, was 65.8 in 1999, a slight increase over the rate for 1998. The birth rate for teenagers continued to decline for 1998-1999, dropping 3% to 49.6 births for 1,000 females aged 15 to 19 years. The 1999 rate for teenagers is 20% lower than the recent high point in 1991. Birth rates for 15-19 year-old Hispanics remained substantially higher than that of other groups. While birth rates for women aged 20 to 24 years declined slightly between 1998 and 1999, both rates for women in their 30s and 40s continued their long increase. Overall, the number of births to unmarried women was up about 1% due to the continued increase in the number of unmarried women of childbearing age. (Contains 9 tables and 12 references.) (Author/SLD)

This report presents national birth rates for teenagers for 1991-1998 and the percent change from 1991 to 1998. State-specific teenage birth rates by age, race, and Hispanic origin for 1991 and 1998, and the percent change, 1991 to 1998, are also presented. Tabular and graphical descriptions of the trends in teenage birth rates for the United States and each state are discussed by age, race, and Hispanic origin of the mother. Birth rates for teenagers 15 to 19 years old declined nationally between 1991 and 1998 for all age and race and Hispanic origin populations, with the steepest declines recorded for Black teenagers. State-specific rates fell significantly in all states for ages 15 through 19 years. Declines ranged from 10 to 38%. In general, rates by state fell more for younger than older teenagers, ranging by state from 10 to 46% for ages 15 to 17 years. Statistically significant reductions for older teenagers ranged from 3 to 39%. Reductions by state were largest for black teenagers 15 to 19 years, with rates falling 30% or more in 15 states. Among the factors accounting for these declines are decreased sexual activity, increased condom use, and the adoption of the implant and injectable contraceptives. (SLD)

This report presents 1998 data on U.S. births according to a wide variety of characteristics. Data are presented for maternal demographic characteristics, including: (1) age, live-birth order, race, Hispanic origin, marital status, and educational attainment; (2) maternal lifestyle and health characteristics, such as medical risk factors, weight gain, and tobacco and alcohol use; (3) medical care utilization by pregnant women, including prenatal care, obstetric procedures, complications of labor and delivery, attendant at birth, and method of delivery; and (4) infant health characteristics, including period of gestation, birthweight, Apgar score, abnormal conditions, congenital abnormalities, and multiple births. Also presented are birth and fertility rates by age, live-birth order, Hispanic origin, and marital status. Selected data by mother's state of residence are shown including teenage birth rates and total fertility rates, as well as data on date of birth, sex ratio, and age of father. Trends in fertility patterns and maternal and infant characteristics are described and interpreted. Birth and fertility rates increased in 1998 by about 1%, the first increase since 1990. (Contains 60 tables, 9 figures, and 78 references.) (Author/SLD)

This report presents key findings from a comprehensive report on pregnancies and pregnancy rates for U.S. women. The study incorporates birth, abortion, and fetal loss data to compile national estimates of pregnancy rates according to a variety of characteristics, including age, race, Hispanic origin, and marital status. Data from the National Survey of Family Growth are used to show information on sexual activity and contraceptive practices, as well as women's reports of pregnancy intentions. Tabular and graphic data on pregnancy rates by demographic characteristics are presented and interpreted. In 1996, an estimated 6.24 million pregnancies resulted in 3.89 million live births, 1.37 million induced abortions, and 0.98 million fetal losses. The pregnancy rate in 1996 was 104.7 pregnancies per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44 years, 9% lower than in 1990, and the lowest recorded since 1976. The teenage pregnancy rate has declined significantly, falling 15% from its 1991 high to the 1996 rate of 98.7. (Contains 6 figures, 3 tables, and 19 references.) (SLD)

This report includes national birth rates for teenagers for 1991-98; the percent of change, 1991-98; state-specific teenage birth rates for 1991 and 1997; and the percent change, 1991-97. Data are in the form of tabular and graphical descriptions of the trends in teenage birth rates by age group, race, and Hispanic origin of the mother. The data for 1997 and earlier years are based on 100 percent of the birth certificates registered in all states and the District of Columbia. Data for 1998 are preliminary, based on a sample file of more than 99 percent of births for that year. According to the statistics, birth rates for teenagers age 15-19 years declined nationally between 1991 and 1998 for all age, race, and Hispanic origin populations, with the steepest declines recorded for African American women. The teenage birth rate is close to a record low. Statistics show that most teenage births are to unmarried women. State-specific rates by age fell in all states, with most declines statistically significant. Overall declines ranged from 9 to 32 percent. (SM)

This report presents data on the numbers of teenage births and teenage birth rates for the United States for the period 1950-97 and state-specific birth rates for teenagers for 1991-96. After increasing sharply in the late 1980s, birth rates declined for American teenagers from 1991 through 1997. Rates fell overall by 16% for teenagers aged 15-17 years and by 11% for teenagers aged 18-19 years. Declines were reported for all race and ethnic origin groups, with the largest declines found for black teenagers, especially those aged 15-17 years. Particularly noteworthy has been the 21% decline in the rate of second birth for teenagers who have had one child. While teenage birth rates vary considerably by state, rates fell in all states in the 1990s, with nearly all declines statistically significant. Rates for black and non-Hispanic teenagers dropped in most states from 1991 to 1996, and the proportion of second and higher order births among all teenage births declined substantially in most states. (Contains 7 tables, 7 figures, and 23 references.) (Author/SLD)