The table below shows the number of live births per 1000 population in the United States, starting in 1965.

Year | 1965 | 1970 | 1975 | 1980 | 1985 | 1990 | 1995 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015

Rate | 19.4 | 18.40|14.80 | 15.90| 15.60| 16.40 | 14.80| 14.40| 14.00 | 13.00| 12.40

The equation of the regression line is as follows: y^=242.59450.1142x

How do I check to see if the line is an appropriate model and explain in depth. Also how do I interpret the slope of the line (0.1142).