AIDS Action cites 'grave concern' about abstinence-only programs
The following is an April 24, 2008 letter by Ronald Johnson, deputy executive director, AIDS Action in Washington, DC submitted to Henry Waxman, chairman Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives.
AIDS Action serves as the national voice for AIDS service organizations, health departments, health educators, and a diverse network of community-based organizations across the country providing services for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. On behalf of AIDS Action's diverse membership organizations committed to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States, I write to express grave concern with continued federal investment in abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. AIDS Action has long called for the elimination of funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, and instead supports comprehensive prevention and sexual educational programs that are scientifically sound and effective at reducing HIV and STD transmission. The health and education of our nation's young people must become a priority for this Congress, and we commend the Committee for holding an oversight hearing on this most critical issue.
Several federally funded research studies show that abstinence-only-until-marriage education programs are ineffective at best. They do not delay the start of sexual activity or decrease the number of sexual partners. Often they contain medically inaccurate data and do not teach youth how to protect themselves from HIV infection. Most recently, a study of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs was conducted by Mathematica Policy Research Inc. on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The $1 million study found no evidence that abstinence-only programs increase rates of sexual abstinence. The study also found that students enrolled in abstinence-only-until-marriage-education programs were far less likely to know that condoms can lower the risk of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.
It is imperative that Congress take a hard look at this scientific evidence. It is not only unethical to deny young people life saving information and education, but reprehensible for Congress to continue spending American tax dollars on ideologically-based programs that are proven to be unsuccessful. Abstinence-only-until-marriage programs have been funded by the federal government for over 25 years. These programs have received over $1 billion dollars under the Bush administration, all without any legitimate evidentiary support in their favor.
Our government's irresponsible and narrow focus on abstinence-only-until-marriage education has serious consequences. HIV remains a public health crisis in America, now infecting more than 40,000 people annually. Every 13 minutes, a person in the United States is newly infected with HIV. More than one in 10 of them is under the age of 25. Not only are HIV rates on the rise, America's youth are also facing higher rates of other sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy. As STD rates rise among our nation's youth so does their risk of HIV, as having a sexually transmitted disease makes an individual biologically more susceptible to HIV infection.
There is clearly a true need for evidence-based, comprehensive sexuality education that meets the needs of all youth, including HIV positive, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. Congress should fund age-appropriate, comprehensive, and evidenced based sexuality education programs which fully inform youth about HIV prevention-interventions. Abstinence is and should remain a critical component of comprehensive HIV prevention education along with contraception and other life and decision making skills.
AIDS Action urges the Committee to provide the necessary oversight to bring an end to federal funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. We ask Congress to act in the best interest of young people by supporting public health and education policies that are comprehensive and rooted in the best science. Thank you, Chairman Waxman for your leadership and commitment on this issue.
AIDS Action serves as the national voice for AIDS service organizations, health departments, health educators, and a diverse network of community-based organizations across the country providing services for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content