Analysis of statistics and trends indicates that teenage pregnancy
is not a growing phenomenon in Britain.2 Nevertheless,
the number of births to teenagers is considered unacceptable,
particularly in the light of evidence that teenage motherhood is
related to a number of adverse consequences for both the mother
and the child, and action to reduce teenage pregnancy is now a
priority of the health service in England,3 Scotland,4,5 Wales6 and
Northern Ireland.