Put Prevention First!

We have the power to prevent unintended pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.  1 in 4 teen girls has an STD.  And Florida has the 6th highest teen pregnancy rate in the country and the 2nd highest rate of HIV and AIDS.  In Florida, 1,726,160 women are in need of contraceptive services and supplies.  Yet, Florida teens aren't getting medically-accurate sex education and may women face barriers to accessing birth control. 

You can make a difference by supporting the Healthy Teens Act and Prevention First Act!

The Prevention First Act (SB 310, HB 129) increases access to birth control and reduces unintended pregnancies by guaranteeing access to emergency contraception for rape survivors, protecting the right to birth control for all women, and protecting the right to have lawful and valid prescriptions filled at the pharmacy.  The Healthy Teens Act (SB 220, HB 265) requires Florida public schools that already teach information about sexually transmitted infections, family planning, and pregnancy to provide medically-accurate and comprehensive sex education – including facts about abstinence and methods of preventing unintended pregnancy and the spread of diseases. 

ACT NOW!  Sign the petition telling our legislators that if they want to reduce unintended pregnancy and the need for abortion, they need to PUT PREVENTION FIRST!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Put Prevention First

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I support efforts to expand access to birth control and ensure that all Florida teens receive comprehensive sex education, including the facts that help protect them from diseases that threaten their health.

Please put prevention first by supporting the Healthy Teens Act (SB 220 by Sen. Ted Deutch (D-30) and HB 265 by Rep. Keith Fitzgerald (D-69)), as well as the Prevention First Act (SB 310 by Sen. Nan Rich (D-34) and HB 129 by Rep. Audrey Gibson (D-15)).

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
September 29, 2008


Background Information

o Florida has the 6th highest teen pregnancy rate in the country.
o Florida has the 2nd highest rate of HIV and AIDS in the country.
o 1 in 4 teen girls has an STD
o In Florida, 1,726,160 women are in need of contraceptive services and supplies.

Floridians know that expanding access to birth control and real sex education is the best way to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and the need for abortion.  Polling conducted by Hamilton-Beattie and Public Opinion Strategies conducted shows that an overwhelming 78% of Florida registered voters support a proposal that would require sex education to be taught in Florida public schools.  According to polling by Lake, Snell and Perry, 73% of Florida voters support providing rape survivors with access to emergency contraceptives.