House Vote to Reauthorize Abstinence-Only Programs Flies in Face of Reality, Puts Ideology Before Public Health, Says Group

5/16/2002

From: Marcela Howell of Advocates for Youth, 202-347-5700

WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The following is a statement of James Wagoner, president, Advocates for Youth, on today's vote in the House of Representatives reauthorizing abstinence-only-until-marriage programs as part of the welfare reform legislation:

"Today in America, 10,000 young people will contract an STD, 2,400 will become pregnant, and 50 will get HIV. Flying in the face of this reality, the House of Representatives today reauthorized abstinence-only programs that censor information about the health benefits of contraception, lack any credible evidence of effectiveness, and have been rejected by every mainstream medical and health organization in the United States. The House of Representatives has put politics before common sense and ideology before public health and it is young people who will pay the price. We can only hope that the Senate will provide the leadership that was lacking today in the House of Representatives and replace these unrealistic, ineffective programs with research-based public health efforts that protect young people's health and lives in the era of AIDS."