by Kate Stewart, Vice President, Public Affairs

Disappointed doesn’t cut it anymore. 

Disappointed, angry, dismayed — these are only some of the emotions I am feeling this afternoon after hearing President Obama's poor excuse for restricting access to Plan B One Step. 

I am also scared. 

Scared about the health of my daughters. As the mother of two daughters, just like President Obama, I try to use "common sense" as much as possible. But, also like President Obama, I am not a doctor; I am not a scientist. I use my own judgment when it comes to things I am confident I can handle — a case of the sniffles, a little cold. 

But, I also understand that it is my responsibility as a parent to know when I don't know all the answers and it’s time to turn to experts. And that, apparently, is where the President and I disagree.

When my daughter’s pediatrician gives me medical advice, I listen. Carefully. American Academy of Pediatrics and the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine make recommendations about my daughters' health, that matters to me. A lot. And I believe it should.

Today, President Obama has made the irresponsible — and nearly incomprehensible — decision to support HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ move to block the FDA from expanding access to Plan B One-Step emergency contraception. Whether the President’s decision was motivated by well-intentioned ignorance or political cowardice is beside the point. Either way, this move will adversely impact millions of women, particularly young women, across the country. 

Advocates for Youth is deeply dismayed by Secretary Sebelius' decision to reject the science on over-the-counter availability of Plan B One-Step.

“This decision runs counter to science, prevention, and basic common sense,” said Debra Hauser, Executive Vice President of Advocates for Youth. “When the evidence gets trampled, politics is usually at play which is bad news for young women's health.”

“Unfortunately, it appears that President Obama's 2012 election campaign has gotten off to an early start and the Administration has decided it can sacrifice the rights and health of young people in a transparent attempt to appease religious conservatives upset by the administration’s earlier decision to extend health care coverage to contraception,” Ms. Hauser continued. “In the months ahead, we will keep a keen eye on how the Administration handles sexual and reproductive health issues affecting young people.”

Take Action:  Sign the petition demanding President Obama hold Sebelius accountable

Each year, December 1 marks World AIDS Day, when activists around the world come together to raise awareness of the global HIV epidemic, fight stigma and discrimination, and advocate for increased efforts to support comprehensive HIV education and prevention.

This year's theme "Getting to Zero" supports UNAIDS' multi-year Getting to Zero strategy that puts forward three core visions: Zero New Infections, Zero AIDS Related Deaths, and Zero Discrimination. The theme underscores the importance of continuing to focus on preventing new infections, ensuring access to treatment, and ending stigma and discrimination of marginalized communities, such as young people who are living with HIV/AIDS, LGBT, sex workers, and injecting drug users, among others. Thirty years into the epidemic, while there have been important declines in HIV prevalence among young people in some of the most affected countries, 41 percent of all new HIV infections are still among youth age 15-24.

It's easy to get involved on World AIDS Day:

1) Join Advocates' World AIDS Day Blogathon

by Sarah Audelo, Senior Manager, Domestic Policy

"I went to a Catholic university, and saw firsthand the terrible impact a lack of birth control had on the students. The inaccessibility of birth control doesn't stop college students from having sex. It just means more people did so unsafely."


The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently defined contraception as basic, necessary preventive medicine — but the Obama administration may be on the verge of caving to political pressure to deny students and employees of religious-affiliated colleges and hospitals access to this basic health care.

This means that approximately two million students who attend religious-affiliated universities will lose access to contraception without co-pays, potentially affecting their student health plan coverage.

Tell President Obama: Access to birth control IS basic preventive medicine. Protect the health and rights of young women!

by Debra Hauser, Executive Vice President

Are you ready to help make history?

Today, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) are introducing the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act, a new bill that lays out a comprehensive, age-appropriate, and holistic vision for sex education policy in the United States.

Ask your elected representatives in Congress to co-sponsor the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act today!

Among its many highlights, the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act:

• Recognizes young people’s right to sexual health information - the first time federal legislation has ever done so
• Prepares young people to make informed, responsible and healthy decisions about relationships and sexual health by including a comprehensive range of topics such as communication and decision-making skills; promoting safe and healthy relationships; and preventing unintended pregnancy, HIV, other STDs, dating violence, sexual assault, bullying, and harassment  

by Janine Kossen, Director, Public Policy

This week, the world reached a new milestone as it welcomed the 7 billionth person to the planet. Nearly half of those seven billion people are under the age of 25 — and in many of the least developed countries, the under-25 population is closer to 60 or 70 percent.

The human toll on the environment has grown exponentially as the population has increased, with women and girls in the world's least developed countries disproportionately impacted by the effects of environmental and climate change. Limited access to family planning and education have helped contribute to these effects as more than 215 million women around the world want to limit or space their births, but are not currently using modern contraception. This unmet need for contraception is often twice as high among young women ages 15-19 in some regions of the world, compared to those over the age of 20.

Urge your Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Global Democracy Promotion Act today!

For a limited time, when you donate $20 to Advocates for Youth, you will receive a free condom case! They're cute, useful, and your $ will go toward ensuring young people's rights and helping them make good decisions about their sexual health. Check it out here. 

You're Invited to a very special happy hour event in support of Advocates for Youth! 

Wednesday, October 26th
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Vinoteca Wine Bar & Bistro
1940 11th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

How It Works:

Buy a $10 wristband at the door, and you'll receive happy hour pricing on food and drinks between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. No need to RSVP — just show up and bring your friends!