Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116308

William Smith, Public Policy Office, SIECUS, 1706 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, 202 265-2405, willismith_2000@yahoo.com

For nearly twenty five years, the US government has funded various types of programs to teach abstinence-only-until-marriage as a means of promoting behavior change around sexuality. Over $1 billion has been spent in this time with $600 million coming in just the last five years. What is this doing to the landscape of sexuality education and other sexual health promotion programs in the US? This presentation will supply an answer to this question as well as supply the underlying evidence to suggest that a better approach is needed to protect sexual and reproductive health not just for young people, but throughout the life span. Additionally, a review of some of the most commonly used abstinence-only-until-marriage curricula will highlight the efforts of these programs and their proponents to denigrate confidence in the efficacy of condoms as a means of disease and pregnancy prevention, as well as their providing other misleading information that left unchecked, can have a significant and detrimental impact on sexual and reproductive health.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be able to

• Understand the major federal funding streams for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs and the laws that guide the use of funds.
• Articulate the major arguments for why these programs are not in the best interests of public health professionals.
• Understand the intersection between sexuality education, progressive sexual health promotion programs, family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention and abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Advocacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.