Oklahoma Ranks 2nd In Teen Births

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – A new national report says Oklahoma has the second-highest rate of births among 15- to 19-year-olds in the country.

The report released Friday by the National Center for Health Statistics says the state ranks third in births among those aged 15 to 17 and first for those aged 18 to 19.

The Tulsa World reports that the number of births to Oklahoma teens in 2013 was 5,233, a decrease of 545 from the year before.

Sharon Rodine, director of youth initiatives for the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, says although Oklahoma is reducing its rate, other states are reducing their rates faster and more effectively.

The rate of teenage births in Oklahoma in 2012 was 47.3 per 1,000 women and girls, second only to New Mexico which had 47.5.