Sunday, November 18, 2007

Costs of Teen Childbearing


Teen childbearing in the United States costs taxpayers (federal, state, and local) at least $9.1 billion, according to a new report by Saul Hoffman, Ph.D. and published by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Most of the costs of teen childbearing are associated with negative consequences for the children of teen mothers, including increased costs for health care, foster care, and incarceration.

By the Numbers: The Public Costs of Teen Childbearing in North Carolina
November 2006
Highlights:
• A new analysis from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy shows that teen childbearing (teens 19 and younger) in North Carolina cost taxpayers (federal, state, and local) at least $312 million in 2004.

• Of the total 2004 teen childbearing costs in North Carolina, 41% were federal costs and 59% were state and local costs.

• Most of the costs of teen childbearing are associated with negative consequences for the children of teen mothers. In North Carolina, in 2004, annual taxpayer costs associated with children born to teen mothers included: $54 million for public health care (Medicaid and SCHIP); $36 million for child welfare; $61 million for incarceration; and $105 million in lost tax revenue, due to decreased earnings and spending.

• The costs of childbearing are greatest for younger teens. In North Carolina, the average annual cost associated with a child born to a mother 17 and younger is $3,868.

• Between 1991 and 2004 there have been more than 212,900 teen births in North Carolina, costing taxpayers a total of $5.2 billion over that period.

• The teen birth rate in North Carolina declined 30 percent between 1991 and 2004. The progress North Carolina has made in reducing teen childbearing saved taxpayers an estimated $219 million in 2004 alone.

• Nationally teen childbearing costs taxpayers at least $9.1 billion a year.

For more information, including a national report and state by state comparisons, visit:


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