County leads decline in teen-birth rate

RITZVILLE — Teenage pregnancies have declined in Adams County at a higher rate than any other county in Washington over the last five years.

According to a recent health study, the teenage birth rate dropped 18% during that time. Adjacent Franklin County also saw a healthy decline in teenage birth rates. There, the rate dropped by 14% over the last five years, the study reported. Yakima County wasn’t far behind, with a decrease of 13%.

And adjacent Grant County declined by 12%, the study reported.

Health officials said the decline in the number of teenage girls getting pregnant and having babi...