Pass the Healthy Youth Act!

The Healthy Youth Act requires schools that teach sex education to do so in a responsible, comprehensive manner that includes information about abstinence and birth control to prevent teen pregnancies and STDs.

The full Assembly will be voting Tuesday on the Healthy Youth Act!  Let's work to pass this important bill!!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Pass the Healthy Youth Act!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I urge you to vote yes and pass the Healthy Youth Act (AB 458/SB 324).

The Healthy Youth Act will ensure that sex education taught in Wisconsin's public schools is medically accurate and comprehensive, including information about abstinence and contraceptives to prevent teen pregnancies and STDs.

A 2008 report by the WI Department of Health Services found that 45% of high schoolers self-report that they are currently sexually active. Yet of those Wisconsin teens having sex, only 61% used a condom during their last sexual counter. The result of this risky sexual behavior is unintended pregnancies and STDs.

For the first time since 1994, the Wisconsin teen birth rate is increasing. And STD rates are exploding among youth in our state. According to DHS, STD rates have increased by 50% among teens in the last 10 years. Additionally, 20% of all new HIV infections in Wisconsin are among youth ages 15-24 years.

It's time to ensure our youth have the information and skills they need to make healthy decisions now and in the future.

I urge you to vote yes and pass the Healthy Youth Act when it comes before you for a vote.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
October 27, 2009


Background Information

» The Healthy Youth Act – AB 458 / SB 324

» Comprehensive and medically accurate sex education give teens the tools they need to stay healthy and make smart decisions now and in the future.

» Real sex education is age-appropriate, scientifically-based and comprehensive. It includes information about both abstinence and birth control as ways to prevent unintended pregnancy and STDs.

» 45% of high schoolers self-report that they are currently sexually active.  Yet only 61% of those teens used a condom during their last sexual counter.

» 11,000 Wisconsin teens will become pregnant this year.

» 20% of all new HIV infections in Wisconsin are among youth ages 15-24 years.

The Healthy Youth Act ensures that the most current standards of sex education are being taught in Wisconsin and that public schools are using programs proven to reduce teen pregnancy and STD rates by:

- Ensuring that Wisconsin public schools that choose to teach sex education do so in a medically accurate and age-appropriate way, including information about both abstinence and contraception to prevent pregnancies and STDs;

- Requiring a school board choosing not to provide sex education to notify parents that their students will not receive any instruction in preventing unintended pregnancies and STDs;

- Directing the state to apply for any federal teen pregnancy prevention funds.

» Learn more: www.ppawi.org/sexed