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State Adolescent Reproductive Health Policies And Their Impact On Teen Pregnancy Outcomes, Jenna Tosh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Using multiple regression analysis, this study analyzes the impact of state-level adolescent reproductive health statutes on rates of teenage pregnancy, birth and abortion rates. This study also analyzes the impact that adolescent reproductive health policy outputs have had on teenage pregnancy outcomes between 1992 and 2008, and the disparate impact of policies on minority teens. While some preventive adolescent reproductive health policies are found to impact teen pregnancy outcomes, most research findings pertain to the impact of abortion policy. Restrictions on minors' access to confidential prenatal care are associated with reduced rates of teen abortion while restricting access to contraceptive …