Joint Center Forum to Examine African American Teen Sexuality, Impact of Sex Education Programs

6/24/2003

From: Liselle Yorke of the Joint Center, 202-789-6366, e-mail: lyorke@jointcenter.org

News Advisory:

WHAT:

Tucked away in the welfare reform bill currently up for reauthorization in the Senate is legislation to increase funding for abstinence education funding in schools. This has heightened the debate between supporters and opponents of abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education at a time when data show improved indicators for America's teens. Among African American adolescents, who are commonly believed to engage in more sexually risky behavior, a recent Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies' report highlighted good news: falling pregnancy and childbirth rates and higher rates of condom use. But what caused these changes? The report findings and the impact of sex education programs on African American teens will be addressed at a Joint Center forum, "Dispelling the Myths: African American Teens and Sex." This forum is part of a Joint Center Public Policy series which is being supported by the Mark and Carol Hyman Fund.

WHO:

Opening Remarks: Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen (D-V.I.), chair, Congressional Black Caucus Health Brain Trust

Panelists:

-- Mildred Freeman, director, Health Education Division, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Education and Member, President's Advisory Commission on HIV/AIDS

-- Wilhelmina A. Leigh, Ph.D., senior research associate, Joint Center

-- James Wagoner, president, Advocates for Youth

Moderator: Debra Delgado, senior associate, Annie E. Casey Foundation

WHEN: Thursday, July 10, 10 a.m. - noon

Archived audiocast available from July 11, 2003, at http://www.jointcenter.org

WHERE: Caucus Room 345, Cannon House Office Building, Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, conducts research and analyses on public policy issues of concern to African Americans and other minorities, promotes their involvement in the governance process, and operates programs that create coalitions within minority, business, and other diverse communities. For more information, visit http://www.jointcenter.org.