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September 2006 update on new publications, actions you can take, and more!
Advocates for Youth's e-News Update
This Month
FDA Place an Undue Burden on Young Women
Age Restriction for Plan B® Over-the-Counter Not Based on Science
On August 24, 2006 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved nonprescription status for Plan B® emergency contraception for women 18 years and older. Young women under 18 will still have to visit a health care provider and get a prescription. Plan B® has been proven safe for 16-17 year olds, and the sooner Plan B® is taken after unprotected sex, the more effective it is.
"We applaud the FDA for finally making a decision after nearly three years of stalling," said James Wagoner, President of Advocates for Youth, "but we are gravely concerned that, once again, politics, rather than science, is at play and the most vulnerable women -- young women -- will suffer."
For the whole story, visit
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/news/press/082406.htm
Trojan® Releases Sexual Health Report Card
Condom manufacturer surveys colleges and universities on how they are helping to protect students' sexual health
The makers of Trojan brand condoms recently released the results of a nationwide survey of the sex education and sexual health resources of United States colleges and universities. One hundred public and private schools were assessed on numerous criteria, including the availability of condoms and contraception on the school's campus, the depth of the sexual health information provided on the school's website, and the accessibility of counseling services on sexual health issues.
Ninety-three percent of schools offer tests for sexually transmitted infections, while less than 25% percent offer free condoms to students.
The top scorers on the Sexual Health Report Card Survey were Yale University (with a perfect score); University of Iowa (#2), University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor (#3), Stanford University (#4), and Oregon State University (#5).
At the bottom of the list, with the worst scores on information and availability of resources and contraception, were University of Memphis (#96), Oklahoma State University (#97), University of Utah (#98), University of Notre Dame (#99), and Brigham Young University (#100).
Read more about this study at http://www.trojancondoms.com
Youth Activist Network Updates
2006 Urban Retreat
Advocates for Youth's 5th Annual Urban Retreat took place in Washington, DC September 14-18. Sixty-five dynamic activists from across the country joined AFY staff for four days of education, skills-building, and planning. These young activists will now take their organizing skills to Washington State, the southern tip of Texas, Minnesota, Virginia, and other states to advocate for adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
Advocates for Youth is dedicated to building youth leadership and developing young people's skills to serve as activists and peer educators. The Urban Retreat is an annual event that provides youth activists with an opportunity to learn from AFY staff, colleagues, and each other.
Look for more details on the 2006 Urban Retreat in the October issue of Y.A. Know.
Take Action !
Support the ALPhA Act!
Ensure that young women's valid prescriptions are filled in a timely manner
Women across the United States are being confronted with pharmacists who refuse to fill their valid prescriptions for birth control pills and emergency contraception. The Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals (ALPhA) act will help women obtain these prescriptions in a timely manner, even when a pharmacist on duty refuses to fill their prescription due to personal beliefs.
TAKE ACTION: Send a message to your members of congress urging them to support the ALPhA Act! http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/takeaction.htm
Say What?!
Banned Book Week
Conservatives think that factual, medically accurate information should be banned from the library
This week (September 23-30) is the American Library Association's Banned Book Week, when the ALA raises awareness of censorship by reporting the books library patrons most often "challenged" or requested they be removed from the shelves. This year's #1 most "challenged" book was Robie Harris' It's Perfectly Normal, a sex education book whose honest discussions of human development and sexuality have made it the target of social conservatives since it was first published in 1996.
Read more about Banned Books Week:
http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.htm
In The Spotlight
Harper, 17
I believe that my awareness of injustice in our society obligates me as a young person to work towards a better and more just world; I feel that I have a duty as a human being to work in the social justice movement. Social justice work is challenging, however, because even superhuman efforts can be frustrated by other people's ignorance or intolerance.
Change is slow in coming, and so activism requires a tremendous amount of patience that can be difficult to maintain. Still, I'm rewarded by the knowledge that I am working to make a difference in my community and even small steps can add up to large changes.
Currently, I am an online peer educator for Youth Resource (www.youthresource.com), a project of Advocates for Youth. I am also a board member of the National Youth Advocacy Coalition and a youth board member of Time Out Youth (www.timeoutyouth.org), an organization in North Carolina that serves LGBTQ youth ages 13-23 through support, advocacy, and education. Through Time Out Youth I also participate on panels for a Speakers Bureau program that seeks to educate the greater Charlotte community about the experiences of LGBTQ youth, straight allies, and parents of LGBTQ youth.
After enjoying my senior year of high school, I hope to attend college, become a high school English teacher, and eventually pursue a career as rabbi.
On The Town
October is Let's Talk Month
Let's Talk Month is a national public education campaign celebrated in October and coordinated by Advocates for Youth. Let's Talk Month is an opportunity for community agencies, religious institutions, businesses, schools, media, parent groups and health providers to plan programs and activities which encourage parent/child communication about sexuality.
For more information on Let's Talk Month, please visit:
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/news/events/letstalk.htm
To download the Let's Talk Month guidebook and sample materials, please visit:
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/ltm.htm
October 15th is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
Latinos in the United States continue to be disproportionately affected by the HIV and AIDS epidemic, with the second highest AIDS case rate in the nation. (Kaiser Family Foundation. HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet: Latinos and HIV/AIDS. February 2006). [http://www.kff.org/hivaids/upload/6007-03.pdf]
Social, economic, and cultural barriers limit the ability of many Latino youth to receive accurate and adequate information on preventing HIV, STIs, and unintended pregnancy. Latino youth need 1) comprehensive, accurate information and 2) culturally competent, confidential, and affordable services in order to help stop the spread of HIV.
For more information about Latino youth, please read:
The Facts--Youth of Color: At Disproportionate Risk of Negative Sexual Health Outcomes
From Research to Practice--The Sexual Health of Latina Adolescents--Focus on Assets
Please visit Advocates for Youth Web sites:
http://www.mysistahs.org - by and for young women of color
http://www.ambientejoven.org - for Spanish speaking GLBTQ youth (Web site is in Spanish)
Read All About It
New Publications on Advocates'
Coming Soon!
Watch for the launch of Advocates' third Respect Yourself. Protect Yourself. condom education campaign!
You can help Advocates for Youth with a contribution today. To donate, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/about/donatetoday.htm
Read previous issues from the Archive of e-News Updates >>
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