Teen pregnancy declined in most of the Hudson Valley in recent years, according to New York State Health Department figures:
In the Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood service area, Albany County's rate declined from 54.3 in 1998 to 32.1 in 2005, then increased to 37.8 in 2006, and declined to a new low of 29.9 in 2007. In Rensselaer County, the rate went from 56.4 per 1,000 in 1998 to 38.4 in 2006 and to 37.3 in 2007. Columbia County's rate went from 56.0 in 1998 to 44.7 in 2006 and to 41.6 in 2007. Only Greene County experienced an increase, going from 40.5 in 2006 to 44 in 2007.
So what accounts for the trend?
Patricia McGeown, President/CEO of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood believes this reflects sustained efforts by state government and community agencies like Planned Parenthood to ensure access to confidential reproductive health services and funding of medically accurate sex education programs.
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