Using Empirical Evidence to Address the Burden of Teenage Pregnancy and Child Births in the United States of America

Abstract

This research paper uses annual time series data of adolescent fertility rate for the United States of America from 1960 to 2020 to predict future trends of adolescent fertility rate over the period 2021 to 2030. The study utilizes Holt’s linear exponential smoothing model. The optimal values of smoothing constants α and β are 0.9 and 0.5 respectively based on minimum MSE. The results of the study indicate that annual adolescent fertility will continue to drop to levels below 10 births per 1000 women aged 15-19 years by the end of 2030.Therefore, we encourage authorities in the US to address local factors which significantly contributes to adolescent pregnancy.

Country : Zimbabwe

1 Smartson. P. NYONI2 Thabani NYONI

  1. ZICHIRe Project, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
  2. Independent Researcher & Health Economist, Harare, Zimbabwe

IRJIET, Volume 7, Issue 2, February 2023 pp. 461-466

doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2023.702077

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