Found via the National Partnership for Women and Families website. A new report, commissioned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reached the following conclusions:
Sex education programs that advise students to delay sexual activity while also offering instruction on ways to avoid unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections effectively reduce risky sexual behavior, increase condom use and decrease spread of STIs.
While the report concluded there was not enough information to determine the effectiveness of “abstinence only” education, advocates for more comprehensive sex education weighed in:
James Wagoner of Advocates for Youth said, “At long last, evidence and common sense have returned to public health policy,” adding that the report “endorses the comprehensive approach to prevention that includes condoms and birth control.” Wagoner said, “We should be spending taxpayer dollars only on evidence-based programs.” Sarah Brown of the National Campaign To Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy said, “Most Americans would like their teens to stay away from sex,” adding, “Strong research shows that the best way to do this, especially in schools, is to use a curriculum that encourages teens to delay sex and also — this is the key — talks to them about family planning and protection.”
The National Partnership for Women and Families post also cited a recent report from the Washington Post.
