ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

HHS Ignores Findings in Surgeon General's Report

Government Continues to Dump Taxpayer Money Into Ineffective Sex Education Programs

WASHINGTON, DC (July 9, 2001) Despite the recent report by the Surgeon General calling for a more comprehensive approach to sexuality education, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson announced over $17 million in abstinence-only-until-marriage education grants to 49 community-based organizations.

The grants were awarded just a week after the release of Surgeon General David Satcher's Call to Action to Promote Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior, a report which called for sex education that stresses abstinence, but also provides medically accurate information about contraception and birth control. Current federal abstinence-only-until-marriage programs censor information about contraception. 

"Despite expert findings, our government continues to dump taxpayer dollars into ineffective sexuality education programs," said James Wagoner, President of Advocates for Youth. "Congress should stop all additional funding until the current evaluation of these programs is complete."

The Surgeon General's Call to Action is just the latest in a series of reports issued by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the White House Office of National AIDS Policy calling for sexuality education that includes information about abstinence and contraception.

Studies by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization show that comprehensive sexuality education—education that teaches about both abstinence and contraception—is the most effective sexuality 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.

"The Surgeon General and other medical experts are sending a clear message to politicians: follow the research, support what works, and stop investing millions of dollars into unproven abstinence-only-until-marriage programs," added Wagoner.

Advocates for Youth is calling on policy makers to take a stand for America's teens and to support increased funding for realistic, balanced sexuality education that provides young people with information about both abstinence and contraception.

###

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

RETURN TO INDEX OF PRESS RELEASES >>