Research Finds Parallels Between Sexual Risk Avoidance
Approach and Successful Public Health Campaigns to Prevent Teenage Drinking,
Smoking, and Reckless Driving
Washington, DC--The Energy and Commerce Health
Subcommittee today released a new staff analysis of adolescent risk taking and
the most effective approaches to prevent unintended teen pregnancies and
sexually transmitted infections. The report analyzes Sexual Risk Avoidance
(SRA), an abstinence-centered approach to sex education, along with
Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE), an alternative type of sex education that
takes a value-neutral approach with a core message of risk reduction. The
report finds that SRA is the better approach, noting that it is consistent with
the latest research on teenage behavior and that it fosters healthy development
among adolescents.
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| Rep. Pitts |
"When it comes to preventing high-risk behavior
among teens, the evidence is clear: risk avoidance is the most effective
strategy. This is true of successful public health campaigns to reduce teenage
smoking, drinking, and reckless driving, and it is also true of sex education
curricula," said Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA).
"Particularly when it comes to investing taxpayer dollars, it's time for
Congress to look carefully at the effectiveness of these programs and ensure we
are supporting the approaches that support healthy choices. This report pulls
together important research on adolescent risk avoidance, and it will be an
important tool to inform the public discussion as we assess the programs that
are being taught in our communities."
The report, entitled A Better Approach to Teenage Pregnancy Prevention: Sexual Risk Avoidance,
chronicles the history of federal involvement in sex education from the 1960s
and 70s through the present, assessing early approaches that were ineffective,
the development of abstinence education strategies, and the Obama
administration's emphasis on CSE approaches today, despite the lack of evidence
that these programs produce a lasting influence on adolescent behavior and risk
avoidance.
The report also includes a review of research into
adolescent behavior and key findings related to teenage risk taking. Among its
findings, the report identifies common elements that are found in successful
public health campaigns designed to encourage teens to avoid risk behaviors
such as underage drinking, illicit drug use, and reckless driving. The report
notes that SRA follows a parallel approach to teenage pregnancy prevention,
using behavioral theory and research as the underpinnings and incorporating
those strategies that have been successful in other youth risk programs.
Finally, the report offers insights into the evaluation process used to
determine the effectiveness of these programs.
"America's teens need guidance to protect them from
the consequences of risky sexual behavior. Unfortunately, the current course of
national policy on teenage pregnancy prevention is undermining the desired
health outcome. Careful examination of research confirms that a value-neutral
and risk reduction approach to sexual behavior is not consistent with teenage
behavioral theory and not effective in impacting America's high rates of
teenage pregnancy and STIs. A better approach is needed that incorporates the
capability of teens to manage risk in the same way as programs designed to
prevent teenage smoking, underage drinking, and reckless driving. Teens are
confused by messages that are non-directive about risking taking and optimal
health. Instead, they need programs that encourage healthy choices and healthy
development," the report concludes. It also offers a series of policy
recommendations to ensure federal dollars are invested in programs built on
sound theory and empirical evidence, focusing on the better approach to
reinforce the importance of healthy decisions.
- Read A Better Approach to Teenage Pregnancy Prevention: Sexual Risk Avoidance
- More info. on Energy & Commerce
- Read Press Release
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