Include abortions with teen pregnancy rates

Every year it frustrates me when I read the teen birthrate statistics.

For example: “Compared to 2000, the teen birthrate has decreased by 16.3 percent in Iowa and 19.2 percent nationwide. The National Center for Health Statistics confirmed this trend last week, reporting that the number of teen births in 2010 was lowest in 70 years, in part due to pregnancy prevention messages.” (Des Moines Register, April 19)

The failure rate of contraceptives and condoms causes more pregnancies and more abortions. We observe an average of 20 aborticide appointments at Planned Parenthood in Iowa City every Wednesday. Absent abortion, statistics make the “pregnancy prevention message” a lie.

Donna Holman

Protestants Against Birth Control

Keokuk