Status of Adolescent Sexual Health in the United States: The impact of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs

Background: Beginning in 1981 under the Reagan Administration, the federal government has consistently supported abstinence-only-until-marriage programs despite a lack of research proving that they are effective. In response to the expansion of abstinence-only-until-marriage funding, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) has created a series of State Profile publications.

Purpose: This presentation will summarize the status of adolescent sexual health in the states in the last year. Specifically, it will provide a detailed analysis of the impact of local and state laws on what does or does not occur in our nation's classrooms and proposed legislation that aims to change those laws.

Methods: The SIECUS State Profiles present a portrait of sexuality education and abstinence-only-until-marriage programs through the United States and the District of Columbia. Information is gathered through extensive research, legislative monitoring, direct communication with local abstinence-only program coordinators, and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This information will be summarized in order to highlight key trends in sexuality education and policy throughout the country. Specific case studies from the state level are included to document the process of creating proactive policies.