The number of pregnant girls aged under 18 has dropped
The pregnancy rate in Merton for girls aged 18 or under has reduced by three quarters in under a decade, according to new statistics.
Figures published by the Office of National Statistics show that the number of pregnant girls aged under 18 in Merton has fallen by three quarters (72.4%) since data was first collected in 1998.
Merton has achieved the fifth highest teenage pregnancy reduction rate of all the 33 London local authorities. There were 43 underage pregnancies in 2015[1] down from 135 in 1998.
The borough’s under-18 conception rate is now 14.1/1000, below both the London average of 19.2/1000 and the England average of 20.8/1000.
Merton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Katy Neep said: “This significant and sustained reduction in the number of teenage pregnancies has been achieved through close partnership working between the council, schools and local health services. Together we have raised awareness of contraception and sexual health services. Education about healthy relationships has also played a big part in reducing teenage pregnancies.”
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March 28, 2017