The birth rate for Hispanic teenagers in the United States dropped more than 40 percent from 2007 to 2011, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"The data is showing they are both waiting and delaying sexual behavior, and there is increased use of contraceptives. Rates for Hispanic teens fell 40 percent, or more, in 22 states, and Latinas saw the steepest decrease from 2007 through 2011 -- out of all ethnic groups," said Ann Marie Benitez, senior manager at the Latina Initiative at The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

No one cause is responsible for the decline, but it is being heralded as a success by educators and child welfare organizations. "Message matters," said Benitez. "There is evidence of increased discourse happen including on television shows. It's important for parents to talk to teens about this. About what teen pregnancy means to their lives. It all impacts each other."

Hispanic teens still have the highest pregnancy and birth rates of any ethnic group in the country, but the teen birth rate for all ethnic groups dropped in the same time period, as did the overall birth rate for the country as a whole, though not by as much.

"Even though we've made amazing strides, there are still disparities that exist in the Latino community. Four out of 10 Latinas get pregnant before the age of 20. We've made amazing inroads, but we need to keep up with the investment. We just need to keep talking about it, because we have a long way to go," said Benitez.

Reducing teen pregnancy is one of the few issues on which progressives and conservatives agree, though the best methods to bring about a reduction remain contested.

Women who make it past their teenage years without having children are much more likely to pursue higher education - only 50 percent of teen mothers graduate from high school, compared to 90 percent of women without children.

A reduction in teen pregnancy also reduces subsequent abortions, as well as medical and monetary support from the state and federal government in the form of pre-natal care, food stamps and foster care for young mothers who have a more difficult time providing for their children.

And the children of teenage mothers are more likely to spend time in prison or be unemployed during adulthood, situations that weigh hevily on society in future generations.

According to the CDC report:

- Lowest rates are in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont, each with rates under 17 per 1,000.

- Highest rates overall continue to be in the South, led by Arkansas and Mississippi, each with rates of about 50 per 1,000. In Arkansas, the majority of teen births are to white moms. In Mississippi, the majority are black.

- White teens continue to have the lowest birth rate nationally - about 22 births per 1,000. Black teens saw a larger improvement, but their rate was still more than twice the white rate, at 47 per 1,000.

- Overall, the Hispanic rate plummeted from 75 to 49 per 1,000, now virtually a tie with the black rate.