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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is maintaining a trend of declining teen birth rates.
The state Department of Health announced Wednesday that vital records show an overall 57 percent drop between 2000 and 2014 for teens 15 to 17 years old giving birth.
Records also show a 48 percent decrease of teen birth rates for 15 to 19 year olds in that same period.
The state's decrease in the rate of 15-19 year olds giving birth in 2014 has brought New Mexico down from leading the national rate.
Officials say the state now is ranked fourth largest for teen birth rates.
Health Secretary Retta Ward says the state must work harder to get better results.
Ward says teen births are a common driving factor of generational poverty.
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