What are the leading causes of death among 15-19-year-old girls?

• A. Traffic accidents and drug overdoses
• B. Pregnancy complications and unsafe abortions
• C. Heart disease and stroke
• D. Cancers and respiratory diseases

Answer: (B)

The leading causes of death among 15-19-year-old girls often include pregnancy complications and unsafe abortions. This is a significant issue due to the biological vulnerability that arises during adolescence, combined with a lack of access to safe and effective reproductive healthcare in many regions. Complications from pregnancies can include conditions like eclampsia, hemorrhage, and infections, while unsafe abortions occur where legal and safe options are not available, leading to severe health risks and fatalities.

In many countries, the high rates of teenage pregnancies, particularly in less developed areas, contribute significantly to mortality rates among this age group. Health education, improved access to contraceptive methods, and proper maternal health care are crucial interventions to help reduce these preventable deaths. Other choices might reflect factors that do impact health, but they do not directly align as the leading causes of death in the specific demographic of 15-19-year-old girls.