Latin American health agencies launch adolescent pregnancy prevention week

Health authorities across Latin America are observing the Week for the Prevention of Unintentional Adolescent Pregnancy, a regional initiative led by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

In Bolivia, the Ministry of Health and Sports reported 71,701 adolescent pregnancies attended via prenatal controls between 2024 and July 2026, with the highest concentrations in Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, and La Paz. In Cuba, while adolescent fertility among those aged 15 to 19 has decreased from 48.5 per thousand in 2021 to 43.2 in 2025, officials note that pregnancy rates among girls aged 10 to 14 remain a concern.

In Paraguay, the Itapúa region recorded 837 adolescent pregnancies last year, including 37 cases involving children aged 10 to 14. Local health officials are implementing educational talks and strengthening school partnerships to provide prevention tools. Meanwhile, in Jujuy, Argentina, provincial strategies have successfully reduced adolescent pregnancy rates from 19% in 2015 to 7.1% in 2025 through intersectoral policies and school-based advisors.