Healthy Teens CT

Planned Parenthood® of Southern New England

Healthy Teens CT

Did you know? 70% (7,665) of reported Chlamydia cases in CT in 2006 were among young people aged 10-24 and 55% (1,463) of reported Gonorrhea cases in CT in 2006 were among young people aged 10-24.

In Connecticut, there is no dedicated funding for comprehensive sex education programs that work. Yet there is money for "abstinence-only" programs which studies have shown do not reduce the number of teen pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS. An Act Concerning Healthy Teens, HB 5591, will establish funding for grant programs for school districts who want to provide medically accurate, age-appropriate, comprehensive sex education.

YOU CAN HELP! Sign the petition telling our legislators that teens need access to age-appropriate, medically accurate, comprehensive sex education in their schools to make healthy and safe choices surrounding their sexual health. The health of young people in Connecticut is at risk and the time to act is now. Urge them to support An Act Concerning Healthy Teens, HB 5591!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Support Comprehensive Sex Education

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I support comprehensive sex education that will educate teens about lifelong responsible decision-making that includes abstinence, pregnancy prevention and disease prevention. I urge you to support An Act Concerning Healthy Teens, HB 5591, which will help fund comprehensive sex education programs for CT youth.

Please ensure Connecticut's youth have access to medically accurate, age-appropriate sex education. The health of young people in Connecticut is at risk.

Signed by:

Campaign Launched:
February 11, 2008

Background Information

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.