Washington, DC (December 5, 2007) — The National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA) released the following statement today in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report on the increase of U.S. teen birth rates.
"The alarming news today that U.S. teen birth rates are on the rise brings additional credence to the call for Congress to invest in abstinence education for America's teens.
Abstinence education is a risk-avoidance curriculum that provides teens with information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases, but always within the context that abstinence is the only way to avoid the physical and emotional risks of casual sex. Abstinence education provides young people tools for setting boundaries and building healthy relationships.
Nearly 75% of American students receive the so-called comprehensive sex education curriculum. This approach tells teens high-risk sexual activity is safe as long as a condom is used. The report released today by the CDC reveals that this mainstream risk-reduction message is not healthy public health policy."
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About NAEA:
NAEA serves and supports abstinence educators from 41 states who work with more than 1.5 million students across the U.S.
For more information:
http://www.abstinenceassociation.org
To schedule an interview with NAEA Executive Director Valerie Huber, please contact Patra Stephan at 202-248-5420 or 202-246-382
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patra Stephan, Communications Director,
202.248.5420/
202-246-3822