Mississippi Home to Most Teen Births

Mississippi continues its No. 1 streak: It takes top honors as America's most religious and fattest state, and now it's also claimed the crown when it comes to teen births. The highest rate was once more observed in Mississippi, according to a new government report, but the good news is that teen births slipped overall from 2007 to 2010, with only three states—Montana, North Dakota, and West Virginia—staying about the same.

Among girls ages 15 to 19, the rate is now 34 per 1,000, the lowest it has been since record keeping began in 1940. Mississippi occupies one extreme, with a rate of 55, while New Hampshire brings up the rear with just 16 teen births per 1,000. The rate has sunk 44% since 1991, leading to 3.4 million fewer babies born since. Experts attribute the drop to the economy and pregnancy prevention efforts, reports the AP. Click to see where your state falls on the list. (More teen births stories.)