OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A federal report shows Oklahoma has the second-highest teen birth rate in the nation.
The Oklahoman reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the 2012 findings on Wednesday. The 2012 rate was about 47 births per 1,000 teenagers ages 15 to 19. Only New Mexico had a higher rate.
Oklahoma's teen birth rate has decreased over the past 20 years, but at a slower pace than in every state except North Dakota and South Dakota.
The CDC says babies of teen mothers are at higher risk of low birth weight and preterm delivery.
An Oklahoma City-County Health Department official says a lack of teen pregnancy prevention programs likely contributes to the high birth rate.