Patricia J. Kelly, PhD, MPH, RN, Department of Familly Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 604 Shawnee Road, Kansas City, KS 66103, 913-281-0925, kellyp@uthscsa.edu

Without accurate and adequate information about sexual and reproductive health, adolescents are at risk of adopting health-compromising behaviors. Information and education are a critical part of reproductive rights. For adolescents, these rights are framed by international policies, including: · 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child · Program of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population & Development (Cairo Conference) · Beijing Plus Five, 2000.

In 1996, the U.S. congress began funding abstinence-only education programs through Title V Maternal & child Health block grants to states. The purpose of the funding was to teach adolescents about that abstaining from sex until marriage was the only way to avoid pregnancy, Infections, and physical and psychological health problems. Over $15 billion has been potentially authorized for programming over the next five years. This presentation will document the extent and specific impacts of abstinence-only education in both the United States and internationally.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify two documents that provide a human rights basis for adolescents’ right to accurate reproductive information
• Specify three conflicts with abstinence-only programming and research-based evidence.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Human Rights

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.