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COLUMBIA (WACH) -For the fourth consecutive year, teen birth rates in South Carolina have declined, reaching an all-time low. 

According to date released by the Department of Health and Environmental Control the teen birth rate for 15-19 year olds decreased 8% from 2010-2011. 

Since 1994, the same year the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy was established, the state has seen a 39% decline in the teen birth rate.

Forrest Alton, Chief Executive Officer of the SC Campaign, is cautiously optimistic. 

“This is certainly a time to pause and celebrate our accomplishments,” said Alton.  “However, we cannot become complacent and think we have the problem solved.  In South Carolina 6,000 young women under the age of 20 become mothers each year and our state still ranks 11^th highest in the US for teen births – there is clearly plenty of work left to be done.”