CDC Study Proves Youth HIV Prevention Works

Contact: media@aidsaction.org or call: 202-986-1300

Washington, D.C. -- AIDS Action today called for broader and more dynamic HIV prevention in light of findings from a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study demonstrating that comprehensive sexuality education is effective in reducing teen age sexual activity and increasing safer sex among teens who do have sex.

According to the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, the percentage of sexually active high school students decreased from 54.1% in 1991 to 48.4% in 1997 when they were enrolled in comprehensive sexuality education that included information about safer sex as well as abstinence. Among those who engaged in sexual activity, condom use increased from 46.2% to 56.8% during the same period.

"As with almost every social ill, education once again proves to be the best antidote. Unfortunately, we're not handing out enough textbooks," said Daniel Zingale, executive director of AIDS Action. "When it comes to HIV, other sexually-transmitted diseases and pregnancy prevention, we must speak to the reality of today's young people. Teaching teens about abstinence must be coupled with teaching them how to avoid HIV if they don't abstain."

AIDS Action cautioned that the study demonstrates the effectiveness of educating school-age youth and called for efforts that reach dropouts and post-high school aged youth. Half of all new HIV infections occur in young people under the age of 25.

"America must reinvigorate HIV prevention on every front: in schools, in mass media and in the home," added Zingale. "Reaching young people means reaching those at greatest risk such as young women of color and young gay men. Unfortunately, these groups are often hardest to reach."

Also of concern is that the study reflects the national response to the earlier and deadlier years of the AIDS epidemic. With the advent of the protease drugs in the mid-90s, the national response to AIDS has waned, and complacency has set in. Most disturbing has been recent evidence of increases in risky sexual activity and HIV infections among young gay men.

AIDS Action has been a leader on HIV prevention, including the July 20 launch of the Virtual Vaccine, a 10-point plan to reinvigorate the national commitment to HIV prevention. The plan serves as the centerpiece of AIDS Action's campaign to ensure that prevention receives the same attention as the race to find a medical vaccine.