To the editor:

There is a crisis in Florida. Our young people are facing some of the worst sexual health outcomes in the country, but, still, the state accepts federal funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.Florida received approximately $13 million in federal money in 2008 for these failed programs that are ineffective and harmful.

A 2007 study, commissioned by the federal government, found no evidence that abstinence-only-until-marriage programs curb sexual behavior.

Florida has the third highest AIDS rate in the U.S. and, in 2007, individuals under the age of 25 accounted for 15 percent of new HIV infections. The state’s teen pregnancy rate is the sixth highest in the nation. Florida’s teen birth rate also increased in 2006 for the first time in 15 years and is 3 percent higher than the national average. Between 1991-2004 there have been more than 354,000 teen births in Florida resulting in costs to the state of $8.1 billion. And yet, the state pursues the failed path of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.

The report released recently by the Healthy Teens Campaign and the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS) adds additional rationale for why Florida needs to abandon these programs. Abstinence-only-until-marriage curricula often contain outdated material and medically inaccurate information that too often rely on fear and shame-based tactics to discourage sexual activity. In these programs, young people are not engaged or empowered to critically analyze sexual situations leaving them ill equipped to protect themselves should they chose to become sexually active.

By ignoring the facts and accepting federal funding, the state is risking the health of its youth. It is time to join nearly half of the other states and refuse ineffective abstinence-only-until-marriage funding.

Florida urgently needs to adopt a realistic approach to sex education, and thanks to State Rep. Keith Fitzgerald this could become a reality. He has just introduced the Healthy Teens Act (HB 265) which will require Florida public schools to teach a comprehensive sex ed curriculum.

Wendy Grassi

Director of Public Affairs

Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida