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June 21, 2006 (5:01 pm EST) |
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New Scientific Study Provides Additional Evidence of Condoms’ Effectiveness
Advocates for Youth Calling for ‘Cease Fire’ in War on Condoms
WASHINGTON, DC (June 21, 2006) A new scientific study published in June 22’s issue of the New England Journal of Medicine states that proper condom use can reduce the risk of contracting HPV, a virus that can cause cervical cancer.
"This is very encouraging news,” said James Wagoner, President of Advocates for Youth. “This report provides further evidence that, while not absolutely foolproof, condoms are far and away the most effective prevention tool for sexually active people, including youth.”
Ultra-conservatives have been waging a war on condoms for the past decade as a way to further promote abstinence-only-until-marriage programs for youth – programs that censor information about the effectiveness and health benefits of condoms. These individuals have often made a case against condoms by claiming that they provide no protection from HPV. However, this report clearly states that “consistent condom use… appears to reduce the risk of cervical and vulvovaginal HPV infection.”
Yet, the war against condoms is not limited the HPV issue. In addition, ultra-conservatives in Congress and the administration forced the CDC and USAID to remove information about the health benefits of condoms from their Web sites; prohibited U.S. HIV prevention programs working overseas from promoting condom use for sexually active youth; argued at international conferences that promoting condom use encourages teens to have sex, despite overwhelming research to the contrary; and pushed the FDA for condom labeling that would emphasize condom ‘failure’ instead of condom effectiveness.
"It’s time for a ‘cease-fire’ in the war on condoms,” continued Wagoner. “We know that abstinence from sexual activity is the only way to remain 100 percent safe from sexually transmitted disease. But the continuing attacks on condom efficacy and the efforts to keep young people in the dark when it comes to safer sex runs counter to proven public health science and basic common sense.”
"Government should be in the business of providing medically accurate information to the people of this country, not using public health as a vehicle for ideological agendas,” Wagoner concluded.
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Advocates for Youth is a national, nonprofit organization that creates programs and supports policies that help young people make safe, responsible decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
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