States Face Choice between Failed Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs and New Comprehensive Approach

Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) offers funding for comprehensive sex education in the U.S.

For Immediate Release:  July 30, 2010

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Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officially launched the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), allowing states to apply for $55 million this year in first-of-its-kind federal funding for comprehensive sex education. H.H.S. also opened applications for states to apply for $50 million in funding to support Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage programs —programs which extensive research has proven to be ineffective. Both PREP and Title V were authorized and funded as a part of the recent health care reform package, and states have states have until August 30th to indicate their interest to apply for either program. Completed applications are due by December 10, 2010 for Title V and February 1, 2011 for PREP.

“PREP is a direct result of tireless advocacy for comprehensive sex education by parents, educators, health professionals and young people over the last decade,” said James Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth. “The continued funding of abstinence-only until marriage programs, in contrast, is an effort by members of Congress to appease social conservatives. It is disheartening to see politicians continue to put politics and ideology before the health and well being of America’s youth.”

To date, the United States has spent more than $1.5 billion on abstinence-only-until-marriage programs that contain false and misleading information and have no impact on teen behavior. These programs explicitly prohibit the teaching of potentially life-saving information about condoms and contraception, leaving young people in the dark and at risk. In the past, more than 20 states and the District of Columbia have rejected Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage funding.

While there are some short term fixes in this new Title V funding announcement, the abstinence-only-until marriage definition remains, enabling states to implement ineffective and dangerous programs. States cannot use these funds to implement comprehensive programs and are still required to promote abstinence-only-until marriage to the exclusion of other topics.

“Unless the ideological abstinence-only-until marriage program is finally jettisoned by Congress, these short term fixes will be nothing more than rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic,” said Mr. Wagoner. “Research shows it’s not either or, it’s both. Effective programs provide young people with information about both abstinence and contraception.”

With the establishment of PREP, states will for the first time be eligible to apply for funds dedicated to evidence-based sex education programs that teach students about both abstinence and contraception. According to HHS, the purpose of the program is to provide age appropriate information for “youth between the ages of 10 and 19 on both abstinence and contraception for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.” This comprehensive approach to sex education —including both abstinence and contraception — is supported by more than 100 scientific and medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Society of Adolescent Medicine, and the American Medical Association.

“The difference between the failed abstinence-only-until-marriage approach and PREP could not be more clear,” Wagoner said. “Not only are Title V abstinence-only programs simply ineffective, they also force states to waste money on failed programs through a required match. In contrast, PREP supports only programs that have been scientifically evaluated to have a measurable impact, requires no state matching funds, and provides critical education that will improve the health and lives of young people throughout the country.”