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 Texas Schools Making Progress
While most Texas public schools are still using abstinence-only sex education programs, more school districts are adopting an abstinence-plus approach, according to a Texas Freedom Network (TFN) report released in November. In 2010, 25 percent of Texas school districts were using abstinence-plus programs, with information about BOTH abstinence and contraception, compared to under 4 percent a short three years ago.
It is a positive development that more school districts are including information about contraceptives, as well as about abstinence. Texas teens need information on risk reduction, since 6 in 10 have had sex by the time they are high school seniors.
As reported in the Houston Chronicle, "a shift is occurring in Texas as more districts move from abstinence-only programs to a comprehensive approach that teaches about condoms and other contraceptives.....recent state and local studies show that most parents, as well as the general public, favor a more balanced approach."
Still, the statistics are sobering. Texas has the third highest birth rate for girls aged 15 to 19 -- 63 births per thousand -- and the second highest percentage of repeat teen births.
Merely including information about condoms and contraceptives does not automatically mean progress, however. It is important that programs -- whether they are "abstinence-only" or "abstinence-plus" -- actually have demonstrated positive effects on teen behavior. It is these "evidence-based" programs, with demonstrated behavioral effects in strongly-designed studies, that will make the biggest progress for Texas teens.
There is also concern that merely including information about condoms and contraceptives does not automatically make a program "abstinence-plus". A truly abstinence-plus approach requires that a program -- in addition to promoting abstinence, first and foremost -- also promote contraceptive use for teens who have sex.
The TFN report classified Worth the Wait as abstinence-plus because it includes information on condoms and contraceptives in its high school-level materials. Used in nearly 20% of Texas school districts, Worth the Wait was responsible for most of Texas' growth in abstinence-plus programming. However, it is not clear that this program promotes contraceptive use: its website stresses (and even exaggerates) the limitations of condoms and other contraceptives.
Neverthless, the findings of the new TFN study are encouraging, signaling that progress can take place on a local level, even in a state with little experience with abstinence-plus or evidence-based programs.
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More Good News for Texas: PREP
The December passage of the federal Appropriations bill means that in 2012, agencies and schools in Texas will be able to apply for Texas's share of the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) funds. On Dec. 23, President Obama signed the Omnibus Budget Act, which continues federal funding for PREP. An early House committee draft of the bill would have blocked this mandatory funding for effective abstinence-plus education programs, but the final legislation included it.
PREP funds promise to be an important source of funding for evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention efforts in Texas. In 2010, and again in 2011, our state declined to apply for its portion of these funds, which support evidence-based education on abstinence and contraception. In 2010, Texas' share of this funding was $4.4 million, and presumably a similar amount was declined in 2011. This funding, which is part of the Affordable Care Act (Health Care Reform), will become available in 2012 for school districts and agencies to apply for to provide abstinence-plus education, along with other topics to help teens prepare for adulthood.
The new appropriations law also provides:
- continued Tier 1 and Tier 2 grant funding for the Office of Adolescent Health Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Program
- nearly level funding for the Title X family planning program, which provides funds to supply birth control and screenings for low-income patients
- continued discretionary funds for community health centers
- additional funding for competitive grants for abstinence education
It is encouraging that PREP funds will be available for Texas. With the nation's 3rd highest teen birth rate, our state urgently needs this funding for effective programs to prevent teen pregnancy.
It is also heartening that most of the key programs to prevent teen and unplanned pregnancy are being continued, in spite of the challenging fiscal and political climate. Maintaining the high standards of evidence and evaluation for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program will ensure that federal funds are focused on programs that work. Unfortunately, the new funding for abstinence-only education does not include such standards.
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Bedsider!
Created by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, the Bedsider website is a friendly, honest, and accurate online source for birth control information for women between the ages of 18 and 29. For twenty-something women, seven out of 10 pregnancies are unplanned. Bedsider provides key information about contraception in an inviting and relaxed format and helps women decide which form of birth control is right for them.
The site features an interactive page where users can scroll over graphics and learn more about different methods of birth control, as well as a comparison chart. Video testimonials feature women and men talking about their personal experiences with different forms of birth control.
The staff at Healthy Futures of Texas especially likes the Fact or Fiction videos. These short, funny mythbuster videos set the record straight, when it comes to questions about contraception and sex.
In November 2011, the National Campaign, along with the Ad Council, launched television and print ads to promote Bedsider -- and to prevent unplanned pregnancy. These "funny fails" ads are available to embed and share -- please spread the message!
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Birth Control as an Umbrella
In his November 3 column "The Birth Control Solution," author and New York Times opinion writer Nicholas Kristoff highlights the importance of birth control and family planning internationally, especially as the global population continues to increase beyond 7 billion. He points out that family planning, especially when it accompanies girls' education and women's rights, works to reduce poverty, conflict, and environmental damage -- and prevent abortions.
Kristoff laments that "contraception became entangled in America's abortion wars." He describes the development of U.S. political opposition to both foreign aid for birth control, as well as to funding for family planning programs in the United States. He notes that efforts to cut more money from global family planning programs would mean that poor countries will experience more abortions and more women dying in childbirth.
In the U.S., family planning programs prevent nearly a million unplanned pregnancies each year, likely preventing over 400,000 abortions. Cutting these prevention programs would mean more unplanned pregnancies and more abortions.
Kristoff declares, "When contraception is unavailable, the likely consequence is not less sex, but more pregnancy." He hails the emerging support for family planning among some evangelical Christians, such as the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good.
As Kristoff remarks, "Contraceptives no more cause sex than umbrellas cause rain." Access to effective birth control is not the problem, but rather is a part of the solution. Along with education and gender equality, voluntary family planning is essential for improving health and reducing abortion.
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Teen Sexting Not As Prevalent as Previously Thought
A study released in early December suggests that fewer teenagers between the ages of 10 and 17 are "sexting" than previous research found. The study, published in the Pediatrics academic journal, found that about 1 percent of 1,560 teenagers polled confirmed having sent or received sexually suggestive images via cellphone, email or other forms of electronic media.
These new findings contradict a survey published by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy in 2008, which estimated that one in five teens - about 20 percent - were "sexting."
The current study found that appearing in or taking a nude or nearly nude picture was more common in older teens, with 5% of 16 and 17 year olds reporting doing so.
While the new study reveals that less sexting may be going on than previously thought, it is still not to be taken lightly. Study author Lisa Jones, a professor of psychology at the University of New Hampshire's Crimes Against Children Research Center, asserts that parents should still talk to their children about sending provocative messages.
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Check Out these Videos
Demasiado Joven (Too Young)
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy has produced this moving 5-minute video featuring young Hispanic parents. Latinas have the highest teen pregnancy and birth rates of any group in the United States, with 52%, or 1 in 2, experiencing teen pregnancy. Demasiado Joven features Latino teen parents speaking frankly about the effects of having children at a young age and the importance of waiting to become a parent.
Caught Off Guard
Sometimes a story can be the best way to communicate. The Baylor Teen Health Clinic and University of Houston have launched an online video series to reach out to teenagers about relationships, sex, and consequences. The first "webisode" follows several young people and their relationships. For more information, visit www.teenhealthclinic.org
More than Just The Talk
This video is a must-see for both teens and parents. Nine bright and impressive teens share some words of wisdom for their parents and adults when it comes to having "the talk" about sex. Open communication and trust are key in keeping everyone honest, safe and healthy.
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Women's Health Program still needs YOUR Voice
As detailed in the Healthy Futures of Texas newsletter of December 15, the future of the Texas Women's Health Program (WHP) is not at all certain. With the massive cuts to the state's Family Planning program, WHP is the only hope for many low-income Texas women to have access to cancer screenings and birth control, at least in the short run.
As you may remember, Texas' application to renew WHP proposed to exclude Planned Parenthood (or any provider that performs abortion or that even affiliates with a provider who provides abortion). Texas' application has been turned down by the federal government because the Medicaid law does not allow such exclusion of qualified providers.
WHP was to end at the end of 2011, but the federal administration has allowed WHP to continue, as-is, until March 31, to allow the state and the Obama administration more time to negotiate a way to continue the program.
It is important that our voices be heard, so that our leaders understand the importance of the Women's Health Program (WHP) to our community. Please call and write to HHSC Commissioner Thomas Suehs to urge him to do what is needed to continue WHP. His contact information is:
Thomas Suehs, Executive Commissioner
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Brown-Heatly Building
4900 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78751-2316
Phone: (512) 424-6502
Suggested points to make in your communication:
- Texas must do what it takes to continue the Women's Health Program (WHP)
- WHP helps women plan and have healthy babies
- WHP saves Texas at least $20 million each year
- WHP helps prevent abortions
Please let our state know how important family planning is -- and that YOU support prevention.
Every call and every letter makes a difference!
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Healthy Futures of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to
reducing teen and unplanned pregnancy in San Antonio.
We believe that all young people deserve to reach their full potential --
and become parents at a time that is right for them and their family.
Healthy Futures provides education for teens and parents in schools and community agencies.
We also mobilize and empower the community to use what works
to help teens and young adults thrive.
Thank you for helping make a Healthy Future for all the children of San Antonio!
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Contact Information: Healthy Futures of Texas
address: 2300 W. Commerce, Ste. 203
San Antonio, Texas, 78207
phone: 210.223.4589
email: info@healthyfuturestx.org
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