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Sexual Health Education

Enacted under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, the Title V grant program provides millions of dollars annually to states for abstinence-only programs in schools and communities.

Yet numerous studies have found abstinence-only programs to be inaccurate, ineffective, and incomplete in educating our youth on crucial sexual health issues -- a prime example of wasteful spending.

In 2008 alone, the Title V program distributed over $178 million to states, with nearly $8 million pouring into Illinois. That same year, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, over 26,000 youth ages 15 to 19 contracted Chlamydia and gonorrhea. Nationally, one in four adolescent females has a sexually transmitted infection.

The money funding these failed programs should be redirected toward responsible sexual health education that informs youth how to make healthy decisions and promotes lifelong responsibility. Investment in responsible sexual health education contributes to a healthy and productive society.

Tell Governor Quinn and your Congressional representatives to reject Title V money and stop funding abstinence-only program grants. We encourage you to add your own stories and suggestions to the message. Legislators need to hear from people who want to eliminate wasteful spending and support responsible approaches to sexual health education. Take action today!

For more information, click on the link below to read a policy brief on abstinence-only programs in Illinois.

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