More Evidence Shows Abstinence-Only Programs Don’t Work
The government released yet another study on December 5 underscoring what Planned Parenthood knows too well: the United States is facing a teen pregnancy health care crisis, and the national policy of abstinence-only programs isn’t working. The Centers for Disease Control study, "Births: Preliminary Data for 2006," found that for the first time in 14 years, the teen birth rate has increased, especially among 15–19-year-olds. [Read the PPFA statement about the study results.]
A previous study released November 7 by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy concluded what research and anecdotal evidence have suggested for years: abstinence-only programs don’t reduce the number of teen pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections. [Read the PPFA press release about the study results.] All these programs do is deny teenagers medically accurate information about birth control and sexually transmitted infections.
Yet in the last decade, more than $1 billion has been wasted on dangerous abstinence-only programs that deny teenagers lifesaving information. It’s time to put that money toward real solutions that will help prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among teenagers.
Planned Parenthood calls on Congress to stop funding dangerous abstinence-only programs and to use that money for real sex education and other prevention programs that work.
What you can do
- Contact your members of Congress and tell them to stop wasting money on dangerous abstinence-only programs, and to fund prevention programs that work — real sex education
- Join the Planned Parenthood Action Network to learn about other ways you can help protect the health and safety of all women.
Read news coverage about the Centers for Disease Control study, “Births: Preliminary Data for 2006”
Published: 11.07.07 | Updated: 12.06.07
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