Teenage Pregnancy Rates Rise After 14 Years of Decline

Experts warn of complacency as new research highlights ongoing challenges

Recent data reveals an increase in teenage pregnancy rates in England for the first time in over a decade, prompting calls for renewed focus on prevention and support. Researchers and national experts gathered at the University of Bradford to discuss the implications and strategies to address this issue.

Rising Rates and National Concerns

Figures from the Office for National Statistics indicate that the under-18 conception rate in England rose to 13.9 per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 17 in 2022, marking the first increase in 14 years. This development has raised concerns among public health professionals and policymakers about a potential reversal of progress made over previous decades.

Expert Perspectives

Alison Hadley OBE, Director of the Teenage Pregnancy Knowledge Exchange and Honorary Professor at the University of Bradford, emphasised the need to maintain efforts in both preventing early pregnancies and supporting young parents. She highlighted the risk of increasing inequalities if attention to this issue diminishes, stating that young parent families often face significant disadvantages.

Hadley also pointed to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on education, noting that increased school absences have limited some young people’s access to relationships and sex education, thereby increasing vulnerability to early pregnancy.

Research and Policy Developments

The University of Bradford is involved in research examining the factors influencing teenage pregnancy and young parenthood. Dr Joanna Nichols, Head of the Department of Healthcare Leadership and Management, contributed to the second edition of Teenage Pregnancy and Young Parenthood: Effective Policy and Practice, a publication co-authored with Alison Hadley and other experts.

The book reviews the outcomes of England’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, which achieved a 70% reduction in under-18 conception rates during its implementation. It also explores recent challenges, including:

• Changes to sexual health services
• The effects of austerity measures
• The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on access to care
• International case studies and new research findings

Challenges for Vulnerable Young People

Dr Nichols’ research highlights that young people becoming pregnant today tend to be more disadvantaged and vulnerable, a situation exacerbated by austerity and the closure of the National Teenage Pregnancy Unit in 2010. Her work also notes that the shift to online sexual health services during the pandemic improved access for some but excluded others.

She warned that without targeted support, particularly in areas of inequality such as Bradford, there is a risk of creating a “lost generation” of young people facing significant social and economic challenges.

Looking Ahead

Both Alison Hadley and Dr Nichols emphasise the importance of continued research, policy development, and practical support to address teenage pregnancy effectively. Their combined expertise aims to inform future strategies and inspire professionals working in this field.