Pregnancies fell 7%, from 6.78 million in 1990 to 6.28 million in 1999.

The birth rate declined 9% in that time, from 70.9 to 64.4 births per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44.

And the abortion rate went down 22%, from 27.4 to 21.4 abortions per 1,000 women.

The overall pregnancy rate dropped 12 percent, from 115.6 to 102.1 per 1,000 women.

Women 20 to 24 years old had the highest pregnancy rate, followed by women 25 to 29.

About one in six women in their 20s was pregnant in 1999.

Teen pregnancy rates reached historic lows, dropping 25 percent during the 10-year period.

The teen birth rate dropped 19 percent, and the teen abortion rate was down 39 percent.

In 1999, black and Hispanic teenagers got pregnant at more than twice the rate of non-Hispanic white teens. The racial differences dwindled among women in their 20s and disappeared by age 35.

Pregnancy rates for married women declined 12 percent from 1990 to 1997, but they have since increased slightly. [AP, 31Oct03; Pro-Life E-News] < ; p healthe]< news www.newsday.com http:>