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Groundbreaking National Sex Ed Standards
Last week, four health organizations released the first ever national standards for school sexuality education. The National Sexuality Education Standards, based on research and extensive professional expertise, provide guidance on the essential minimum core content for age-appropriate sexuality education for students in K-12. Addressing inconsistent and limited sex education is particularly important because the U.S. has the highest teen birth rate among industrialized nations and because nearly 1 in 4 U.S. teen girls has a sexually transmitted infection.
The standards were developed by the American School Health Association, the American Association for Health Education, the National Education Association Health Information Network, and the Society of State Leaders of Health and Physical Education, to address inconsistent and limited sex education in our country. Seven topics are included: Anatomy and Physiology; Puberty and Adolescent Development; Identity; Pregnancy and Reproduction; Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV; Healthy Relationships; and Personal Safety.
"These standards are presented in a user-friendly way, making it possible for a health education teacher or parent, say, of a seventh-grader, to easily find out what is the next step in the learning process for a thirteen-year-old in regards to sexual health," said Stephen Conley, Executive Director of the American School Health Association, in a press release.
Comprehensive (abstinence-plus) sex education can help reduce our high rates of teen pregnancy. A 2008 study found that teens who receive comprehensive sexuality education are less likely to report a pregnancy than are those who receive abstinence-only instruction or no school sex education.
School-based sex education can seem controversial, but it is important to recognize that a large majority of parents support school sex education - including information about contraception. A recent study from Mississippi reinforces this fact, and there is similar strong support from Texas parents in Harris County and across the country.
Contrary to the often-cited myth, abstinence-plus education, (which includes promotion of both abstinence and contraception), does not increase sexual activity. In fact, effective programs can help youth delay sex.
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Programs like WHP improve Health, save Tax Dollars
According to a new report released by the Guttmacher Institute, programs that expand eligibility for Medicaid-funded family planning services have broad, effective and cost-containing benefits. The "Medicaid Family Planning Expansions: Lessons Learned and Implications for the Future" report shows that making family planning services, which include birth control and not abortion, available to more Medicaid-eligible women increases their use of effective contraceptive methods and helps them continue to use them. Improved contraceptive use has translated into measurable declines in unplanned pregnancy and teen pregnancy, as well as improved birth spacing.
Similar positive results have been seen here in Texas since the implementation of the Women's Health Program, the Medicaid expansion that which provides preventive care (checkups, cancer screenings, birth control, but not abortion) to low-income women ages 18 to 44. Since the implementation of the program, WHP has saved millions in state tax dollars. In 2009 alone, over 183,000 women were enrolled in WHP, which saved the state of Texas nearly $20 million dollars in childbirth and infant care costs.
However, the survival of Texas' WHP is in doubt. WHP is scheduled to end on March 31 unless Texas revises its application for renewal to include Planned Parenthood as a provider. Last year, at the direction of the Texas Legislature, the state Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) drafted new language that prohibits affiliates of abortion providers from participating as WHP providers. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declined Texas' application to renew the program because this exclusion is not compatible with the "any willing provider" clause of the federal Medicaid statute. HHS has allowed HHSC to extend WHP until the end of March, while the state and the federal governments work on a solution.
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 Unplanned Pregnancy Increasing among Low-Income Women
A Guttmacher Institute analysis published in November 2011 finds that, between 1994 and 2006, rates of unplanned pregnancy among poor U.S. women increased by 50 percent. During that same time, higher-income women saw a 29 percent decrease, so that the overall U.S. unplanned (unintended) pregnancy rate remained flat. In their analysis of governmental data, the researchers also found higher rates and percentages of what unplanned pregnancy (as described by the women themselves) among women ages 18-24; among minority women; and among women who were cohabiting.
This income-related health disparity is alarming: In 2006, poor women had an unintended pregnancy rate five times that of higher-income women. The ability to time pregnancies and postpone them is an important factor in college success. Unplanned pregnancy is frequently implicated as a reason that women attending community colleges drop out or "stop out". Because education is so closely connected to earning power, this high rate of unplanned pregnancy is an important part of the cycle of poverty.
Such a stark finding of inequality underscores the importance of family planning programs for low-income women, such as the Texas Department of State Health Services Family Planning program and the Texas Women's Health Program (WHP). Unfortunately, Texas has just cut the former by two-thirds, and the latter is scheduled to end in about 2 months.
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What YOU Can Do
Members and friends of the Healthy Futures Alliance (HFA) are deeply concerned about the severe cuts to the Family Planning program and the potential loss of the Women's Health Program.
There is still time to make your voice heard about the Women's Health Program (WHP). Please call or write HHSC Commissioner Thomas Suehs to urge him to do what is needed to continue WHP:
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 $20 million per 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!
The Healthy Futures Alliance (HFA) is a community coalition to reduce teen and unplanned pregnancy in San Antonio. With over 400 members, HFA has some members who are pro-life and others who are pro-choice. We are all working together on prevention. Please consider becoming a member today. To find out more, check out our website.
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Teens Have the Tools -- in Schools and in the Community
Healthy Futures of Texas is excited to be getting back to school for the Spring Semester! In collaboration with Metro Health's Project WORTH, we are working in San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) to provide middle school students with effective programs to promote healthy decisions.
This semester, we are offering Draw the Line/Respect the Line, an evidence-based program that helps youth set, respect, and defend personal boundaries. We will be working in 3 SAISD middle schools, Wheatley, Tafolla, and Irving, to deliver sessions to 7th grade students, with their parents'/guardians' permission.
Healthy Futures will also be working with 7th graders at New Frontiers Charter School to provide a 12-week program using the evidence-based It's Your Game: Keep it Real! curriculum.
We're also excited about a new partnership with Haven for Hope, a non-profit working to transform the lives of homeless men, women and children. Haven for Hope addresses some of the root causes of homelessness through job training, behavioral health services, and education. Healthy Futures is preparing to offer sessions for teens living with their families at Haven. In addition, we will be offering workshops for parents and young adults.
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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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