ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

2.63 Million Young People Worldwide to Contract HIV/AIDS This Year

Adolescent Access to Information and Contraception Critical in Fighting Deadly Disease

Interview Opportunities Available Immediately With Experts

WASHINGTON, DC (November 30, 1999) Citing the fact that five young people worldwide contract HIV/AIDS every minute of every day, Advocates for Youth President James Wagoner called on U.S. and global policy makers to provide young people with balanced, realistic, life-saving sexuality education.

"Ignorance is nobody's ally in the era of AIDS. Denying young people the information they need to protect their health and their lives is not only unrealistic and naïve, but irresponsible and dangerous," said Wagoner.

"With the vast majority of adolescents worldwide becoming sexually active before the age of 20, and at least half of all new HIV infections globally and in the U.S. occurring in young people under the age of 25, we need realistic policies and actions that protect young people's health and lives," concluded Wagoner.

Of the six billion people in the world, more than one billion are aged 15 to 24. "The decisions our young people make now regarding their sexual health will be the single most important factor in the quality of life worldwide for generations to come," said Wagoner.

Studies by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization show that comprehensive sexuality education—which teaches both abstinence and contraception—is the most effective sex education for young people. Those who receive this kind of education are more likely to begin having sex later in life and to use protection correctly and consistently when they do become sexually active.

Wagoner called on policy makers, both domestic and international, to follow the 1999 recommendations of the renewed Programme of Action from the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The recommendations include increasing sexuality education at all school levels, providing confidential access to contraception for all sexually active adolescents and pursuing rigorous public health strategies to reduce HIV/AIDS.

###

Note to Editors and Producers: For more information or to set up an interview with HIV/AIDS prevention experts, please contact Bill Barker at (202) 419-3420.

RETURN TO INDEX OF PRESS RELEASES >>