The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has issued a report on Teen Sexual Activity and Birth Control Use in New York City. From the press release:
More than two thirds (69%) of sexually active New York City teens use condoms, compared to 63% nationwide, according to a new survey of public high school students. But too few sexually active girls are using the pill and other hormonal contraceptives to prevent unplanned pregnancies. * * *
- -Only 8% of sexually active teens or their partners use the pill, compared to 18% nationwide.
- -Only 4% of sexually active teens use dual protection (condoms and another method), compared to 8% nationwide.
- -19% of sexually active girls (versus 14% nationwide) used no birth control the last time they had sex.
Maybe the free “NYC Condoms” campaign (see here) is working. Could the comparatively lower levels of pill usage result from young New Yorkers’ philosophical rejection of regular dosages of synthetic hormones? I’d like to think so, but with only 19% using any form of birth control at all, the stats do not suggest reflective consideration.
-Bridget Crawford
