Teenaged pregnancy rates in the United States continue to be among the highest in the industrialized nations. Although the rate has decreased by 51% from its peak in 1990 to the most recent data available in 2010 (116.9 pregnancies per 1000 girls aged 15 to 19 years vs 57.4 per 1000, respectively
These numbers highlight the need for more effective use of contraception in this population, especially high school students, of whom nearly half report having had sexual intercourse.
Pediatricians play a unique and vital role in the lives of adolescents as trusted guides through a myriad of issues including contraception use.