Behaviors

Regular exercise is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. Engaging in regular physical activity offers numerous benefits for both physical and mental health, including reduced risk

of cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, depression, sleep problems and anxiety.⁸⁴

Nationally, in 2023, 27.6% of women ages 18-44 met the federal physical activity guidelines (150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity and two days of muscle strengthening per week) in the past 30 days. The prevalence remained below the Healthy People 2030 national target of 29.7% of adults age 18 and older

.⁸⁵

Differences. The prevalence of exercise among women varied significantly by educational attainment, disability status, household income, geography, race/ethnicity and veteran status. In 2023, the prevalence was:

Chlamydia

is the most commonly reported

sexually transmitted infection in the United States.^86,87 The vast majority of reported chlamydia cases in the U.S. occur in women

, particularly women of reproductive age.⁸⁸ In 2023, more than half

of all reported chlamydia cases occurred in adolescents and young adults ages 15-24.⁸⁷

Changes over time. Nationally, chlamydia incidence decreased 4% between 2022 and 2023, from 1,540.1 to 1,481.2 new cases per 100,000 females ages 15-44. In 2023, approximately 977,200 new cases of chlamydia were diagnosed among females ages 15-44, 32,300 fewer cases than in 2022. 

Between 2022 and 2023, chlamydia incidence decreased 4% among white women (659.0 to 633.4 cases per 100,000) and 4% (the national change) or more in 26 states and the District of Columbia, led by: 51% in Maryland (1,555.9 to 766.5), 20% in Tennessee (1,723.2 to 1,375.3) and 13% in Montana (1,243.1 to 1,086.5). The incidence increased 4% or more in six states. The largest increases were: 26% in Maine (248.5 to 312.9), 10% in Hawaii (1,328.6 to 1,464.3) and 8% in Delaware (1,771.6 to 1,916.4). 

Differences. Chlamydia incidence varied by race/ethnicity and geography in 2023. The rate was:

Substantial social, economic and health costs are associated with teen pregnancy and child-rearing. Teenage mothers are significantly more likely

to drop out of high school and face unemployment.⁸⁹ The children of teen mothers also have a higher risk

of mental health issues, aggression and behavior problems, academic difficulties, continuous delinquent behavior and becoming teen mothers

themselves.^90,91

Changes over time. Nationally, the teen birth rate decreased 4% between 2022 and 2023, from 13.6 to 13.1 births per 1,000 females ages 15-19. In 2023, nearly 141,000 teenagers gave birth, 2,800 fewer than in 2022. 

Between 2022 and 2023, the teen birth rate decreased 8% among white teenagers (9.0 to 8.3 births per 1,000 females ages 15-19), 7% among American Indian/Alaska Native teenagers (22.2 to 20.7), 6% among both Asian teenagers (1.7 to 1.6) and multiracial  teenagers (13.5 to 12.7), and 5% among Black teenagers (20.2 to 19.2). 

During this time frame, the teen birth rate decreased 4% (the national change) or more in 29 states, led by: 21% in Wyoming (16.0 to 12.6), 14% in Maine (8.4 to 7.2) and 10% in Rhode Island (8.3 to 7.5).

Differences. The teen birth rate varied by race/ethnicity and geography in 2023. The rate was:

Smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products while pregnant is harmful to both mother and child, increasing risk of miscarriage

, ectopic pregnancy

, preterm birth, developmental damage

and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

.^92–95 A recent study estimates that quitting or reducing smoking during pregnancy has an economic benefit of more than half a billion dollars annually

in the U.S., based on just the reduction of SIDS deaths.⁹⁶

Changes over time. Nationally, the percentage of mothers who reported smoking cigarettes during pregnancy decreased 19%, from 3.7% to 3.0% of live births between 2022 and 2023. Over the long term, smoking during pregnancy has decreased 64% since 2014 (8.4%). In 2023, approximately 107,800 mothers smoked during pregnancy, 26,400 fewer mothers than in 2022. 

Between 2022 and 2023, the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy decreased 19% or more (the national change) in 24 states, led by: 36% in Rhode Island (2.5% to 1.6% of live births), 27% in Mississippi (5.1% to 3.7%) and 26% in South Carolina (4.3% to 3.2%).

Differences. Smoking during pregnancy was 20.5 times higher in West Virginia (12.3%) than in California (0.6%) in 2023.