Why Do We Need a Resolution for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health?

Many Colorado teens are having sex:

• The 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey found that more than one in four 9th graders in Colorado have had sex. By 12th grade nearly 60% reported having had sex.

This puts them at risk for:

• Unplanned Pregnancy 
  
  • Colorado recorded the 22nd-highest rate of teenage pregnancy nationwide in 2006 according to the Guttmacher Institute.
  • Approximately 6,754 females under the age of 20 gave birth in 2007 in Colorado according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
• Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV/AIDS
  
  • The 2009 Colorado Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) indicated that the use of birth control pills among adolescent girls increased by 6.8% since 2005, however, condom use has decreased by 6.1%. This means that the number of students at risk for STIs has increased.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that roughly one in four, or 26%, of young women in the U.S. between the ages of 14 and 19 currently has at least one STI.
  • In 2006, young people ages 13-19 accounted for more than one-third of all new HIV infections, more than any other age group nationally.
  • On average, nearly 18 cases of chlamydia or gonorrhea in adolescents are reported each day according to data from the CDPHE.

In addition:

• According to data from CDPHE youth of color and rural youth are at greatest risk of teen births or STDs than other youth populations in our state. This has less to do with rates of reported sexual activity and more to do with limited access to contraception, adequate family planning services, and health insurance.

We all pay the price:

• Parenting is the primary reason adolescent women drop out of school, according to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
• Figures published by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy found that in Colorado in 2004, estimated annual taxpayer costs associated with children born to teen mothers included $15 million for public health care and $45 million for child welfare.

There’s hope:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Science-based, medically accurate, age appropriate, culturally relevant, and comprehensive sexuality education programs have been proven to help youth:
  
  • delay the onset of sexual activity,
  • reduce the frequency of sexual activity,
  • reduce number of sexual partners, and
  • increase condom and contraceptive use
• These changes in behavior have been demonstrated to prevent unintended pregnancy and the spread of ST

This Denver Public Schools resolution is endorsed by the following organizations:

• 9to5, National Association of Working Women, Colorado Chapter
• ACLU of Colorado
• Boulder Valley Women's Health Center
• Colorado AIDS Project
• Colorado Anti-Violence Program
• Colorado Association of School-Based Health Centers (CASBHC)
• Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA)
• Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR)
• Colorado Progressive Coalition
• Colorado Progressive Action
• Colorado Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
• Colorado Section of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Colorado Youth Matter (formerly COAPPP)
• The Denver Teen Pregnancy Prevention Partnership
• Girls Inc. of Metro Denver
• The Healthy Colorado Youth Alliance
• Interfaith Alliance
• Latina Initiative
• Look Both Ways, Inc.
• NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado Foundation
• New Era Colorado
• One Colorado
• Parent Pathways
• Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains
• ProgressNow

In May 2007, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed into law House Bill 1292 (HB 1292), which promotes adolescent health by reducing the risk of pregnancy, abortion, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, among young people through the instruction of science-based sexuality education.

In Colorado, comprehensive health education is optional. All Colorado district schools, institutes, and charter schools can decide whether or not to teach sexuality education, and may address the subject in preschool through 12th grade. The Healthy Youth Act of 2007, HB 1292, directs that wherever offered, sexuality education must be science-based, age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, medically accurate, and address the topics of abstinence and contraception, including emergency contraception. Students “opt- in” to this class, which allows parents the opportunity to begin or continue the conversation about sexuality before their student receives information at school – and, ideally, before they need it.

HB 1292 sets minimum requirements for school district curriculum on human sexuality, including:

1. Encourage parental involvement and family communication;
2. Emphasize abstinence as the only certain and most effective way to avoid pregnancy and STIs;
3. Teach students about STIs including but not limited to HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and the link between the human papilloma virus and cervical cancer;
4. Develop student skills for making responsible and healthy choices about sexual activity;
5. Explain how being under the influence of drugs or alcohol can impair a student’s ability to make healthy choices;
6. Be age appropriate, culturally relevant, and medically accurate according to published authorities relied on by the medical profession;
7. Explain the health benefits and potential side effects of using contraceptives and barrier methods, including emergency contraception, to prevent pregnancy and STIs.

When delivered accurately and with fidelity, comprehensive sexuality education helps youth delay the initiation of sexual intimacy and be safe when they choose to become sexually active. Study after study has shown that youth who receive science-based comprehensive sexuality education at home and at school:

1. Delay the onset of sexual activity;
2. Increase correct and consistent use of condoms and contraceptives;
3. Reduce the number of sexual encounters, and
4. Reduce the number of sexual partners.

Comprehensive sexuality education is science-based, age-appropriate, culturally relevant – and effective!

For the complete statue, click here.

Most people no longer believe the myth that, just because we talk to youth about sex means we're condoning or giving them permission to have sex. We have youth to thank for setting that record straight - study after study have shown that youth who receive science-based comprehensive sexuality education.

In May 2007, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed into law House Bill 1292, which promotes adolescent health by reducing the risk of pregnancy, abortion, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, among young people through the instruction of science-based sexuality education.

In Colorado, comprehensive health education is optional. All Colorado district schools, institutes, and charter schools can decide whether or not to teach sexuality education, and may address the subject in preschool through 12th grade. The Healthy Youth Act of 2007, HB 1292, directs that wherever offered, sexuality education must be science-based, age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, medically accurate, and address the topics of abstinence and contraception, including emergency contraception. Students “opt- in” to this class, which allows parents the opportunity to begin or continue the conversation about sexuality before their student receives information at school – and, ideally, before they need it.

HB 1292 sets minimum requirements for school district curriculum on human sexuality, including:

1. Encourage parental involvement and family communication;
2. Emphasize abstinence as the only certain and most effective way to avoid pregnancy and STIs;
3. Teach students about STIs including but not limited to HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and the link between the human papilloma virus and cervical cancer;
4. Develop student skills for making responsible and healthy choices about sexual activity;
5. Explain how being under the influence of drugs or alcohol can impair a student’s ability to make healthy choices;
6. Be age appropriate, culturally relevant, and medically accurate according to published authorities relied on by the medical profession;
7. Explain the health benefits and potential side effects of using contraceptives and barrier methods, including emergency contraception, to prevent pregnancy and STIs.

When delivered accurately and with fidelity, comprehensive sexuality education helps youth delay the initiation of sexual intimacy and be safe when they choose to become sexually active. Study after study has shown that youth who receive science-based comprehensive sexuality education at home and at school:

1. Delay the onset of sexual activity;

2. Increase correct and consistent use of condoms and contraceptives;

3. Reduce the number of sexual encounters, and

4. Reduce the number of sexual partners.

Comprehensive sexuality education is science-based, age-appropriate, culturally relevant – and effective!

For the complete statute, click here.