Did You Know?

• Few Connecticut students get comprehensive, age-appropriate, medically accurate information about sexual health before they become sexually active.
• Connecticut has no designated funding stream for comprehensive sexuality education in schools. 
• 70% (7,665) of reported Chlamydia cases in CT in 2006 were among young people aged 10-24. Left untreated, Chlamydia is a major contributor to infertility later in life. 55% (1,463) of reported Gonorrhea cases in CT in 2006 were among young people aged 10-24.
• The CT Department of Public Health reported the state teen birth rate as 6.9% in 2004. However, the rate is significantly higher in Hartford (20%), New Britain (16%), Windham (15.4%), New London (14%), New Haven (13.6%), Killingly (13.6%), Bridgeport (13.2%), Norwich (12.5%), and Putnam (9.9%).
• Teens and young adults under the age of 25 continue to be at risk for HIV and most young people are infected through unprotected sex. African Americans are disproportionately affected by HIV infection, accounting for 55% of all HIV infections reported among persons aged 13?24. The lifetime per person HIV care cost is now $618,900. 
• Research has shown that comprehensive sexuality education programs result in consistent condom use among teenagers who are sexually active. This is particularly important considering 64% of sexually active teenagers in CT didn?t use condoms the last time they had sex. Without comprehensive sex education, Connecticut's teens are at a greater risk for unintended pregnancies and contracting sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS.