Effective Sexuality Education in schools Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Samantha Beardslee California State University Monterey Bay April 27, 2012

The Teen sexual health issue The United States falls behind all other industrialized nations in teen pregnancy rates and STI transmission (Darroch, Singh, and Frost, 2001). Abstinence-only education is not effective in reducing teen pregnancy, yet the U.S. government funds programs teaching this (Santelli, Ott, Lyon, Rogers, Summers, and Schleifer, 2006). The United States falls behind all other industrialized nations in teen pregnancy rates and STI transmission (Darroch, Singh, and Frost, 2001). Abstinence-only education is not effective in reducing teen pregnancy, yet the U.S. government funds programs teaching this (Santelli, Ott, Lyon, Rogers, Summers, and Schleifer, 2006). *photo courtesy of Mahalie at Creative Commons

Reasons for poor sexual health in U.S. Adolescents Sex among teenagers is viewed as a moral problem rather than as a health problem (Berne and Huberman, 1999). Sex among teenagers is viewed as a moral problem rather than as a health problem (Berne and Huberman, 1999). There is little variation in age at first intercourse across the nations (Weaver, Smith, and Kippax, 2005). There is little variation in age at first intercourse across the nations (Weaver, Smith, and Kippax, 2005).

Reasons for poor sexual health in U.S. Adolescents Abstinence-only education prevents many youth from learning about other contraceptive methods. Abstinence-only education prevents many youth from learning about other contraceptive methods. Higher levels of multiple sexual partners among U.S. teens may explain higher STI rates (Darroch, Singh, and Frost, 2001). Higher levels of multiple sexual partners among U.S. teens may explain higher STI rates (Darroch, Singh, and Frost, 2001).

Effects of current programs Effects of current programs Myths and misinformation regarding safer sex circulate among students, leading to contraceptive failure. Myths and misinformation regarding safer sex circulate among students, leading to contraceptive failure. Most reported cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia occur in girls aged (CDC, 2008). Most reported cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia occur in girls aged (CDC, 2008). Birth rate among teens is much higher in U.S. than most other developed countries (World Bank, 2009). Birth rate among teens is much higher in U.S. than most other developed countries (World Bank, 2009). Myths and misinformation regarding safer sex circulate among students, leading to contraceptive failure. Myths and misinformation regarding safer sex circulate among students, leading to contraceptive failure. Most reported cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia occur in girls aged (CDC, 2008). Most reported cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia occur in girls aged (CDC, 2008). Birth rate among teens is much higher in U.S. than most other developed countries (World Bank, 2009). Birth rate among teens is much higher in U.S. than most other developed countries (World Bank, 2009). *photo courtesy of Creative Commons user Shreshthatrivedi

Attempted solutions Adolescent Family Life Act and Program Adolescent Family Life Act and Program Pregnancy Assistance Fund through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Pregnancy Assistance Fund through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Although these programs address adolescent maternal health, they do not address pregnancy prevention other than abstinence. Although these programs address adolescent maternal health, they do not address pregnancy prevention other than abstinence. Adolescent Family Life Act and Program Adolescent Family Life Act and Program Pregnancy Assistance Fund through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Pregnancy Assistance Fund through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Although these programs address adolescent maternal health, they do not address pregnancy prevention other than abstinence. Although these programs address adolescent maternal health, they do not address pregnancy prevention other than abstinence.

_ New proposal _ In the current U.S. programs:  Education focuses only on the value of abstinence  Assistance is provided to pregnant teens so they feel less compelled to obtain abortions.

_ New proposal _ Because we know:  Teens have sex despite abstinence only education  Teens have greater numbers of reported STI cases  Teens often do not know how to find helpful resources  Parents often feel uncomfortable talking with their children about sexual health issues

References Berne, L., & Huberman, D. (1999). European Approaches to Adolescent Sexual Behavior & Responsibility: Executive Summary & Call to Action. Washington, DC: Advocates for Youth. Retrieved from Boonstra, H.D. (2010). New Pregnancy Assistance Fund Under Health Care Reform: An Analysis. Guttmacher Policy Review 13(4) Retrieved from CDC (2008). Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the United States. Retrieved from Darroch, J.E., Singh, S., & Frost, J.J. (2001). Differences in Teenage Pregnancy Rates Among Five Developed Countries: The Roles of Sexual Activity and Contraceptive Use. Family Planning Perspectives, 33 (6), Retrieved from Department of Health and Human Services (2012). Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees - Fiscal year 2012, pages Retrieved from Santelli, J., Ott, M.A., Lyon, M., Rogers, J., Summers, D., & Schleifer, R. (2006). Abstinence and Abstinence-Only Education: A Review of U.S. Policies and Programs. Journal of Adolescent Health 38 (1), Retrieved from Weaver, H., Smith, G., & Kippax, S. (2005). School-Based Sex Education Policies and Indicators of Sexual Health among Young People: A Comparison of the Netherlands, France, Australia and the United States. Sex Education. 5 (2), Doi: / World Bank (2009). Adolescent Fertility Rate (Births per 1,000 Women Ages 15-19). Retrieved from

Thank you Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions