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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

William A. Smith, Public Policy Office, Sexuality Information and Education Council of the US (SIECUS), 1706 R St NW, Washington, DC 20009, 202-265-2405, wsmith@siecusdc.org

As the political battles over sex education continue, public policy and program implementation must track the evidence in regard to what works best to help young people make good decisions to protect their health. There is no doubt that comprehensive sex education programs do a better job of helping young people use contraception more effectively when they transition to sexual activity than do abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. In fact, abstinence-only-until-marriage programs receiving federal funds are required by law to censor all information about contraception as a means of protecting one's health. What is less clear, however, and significantly less reported on, is what type of program does a better job of helping young people delay sexual activity and remain abstinent. This presentation will provide a review of the most up to date research on this subject. The presentation will provide evidence that comprehensive sex education actually does a better job of helping young people delay sexual activity than do abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. Given this, the presenter will also offer additional evidence about the harm to health associated with certain abstinence-only-until-marriage program components.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key studies on sex education efficacy.
• Articulate the success of comprehensive sex education in helping young people delay.

Keywords: Sexual Behavior, Adolescent Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered