PRESS RELEASE
November 13, 2009

For Immediate Release
Contact: Ms. Sandy Pickert, RN, MPH
Abstinence Education, Inc. 
(316) 688-0840 or cell: (316) 990-0868

CDC’s Study Data Does Not Show Comprehensive Sex Education in Schools Increases Condom Use, Reduces Pregnancy or STDs. Dissenting Report Cites Lack of Results for School Programs
 
WICHITA, KS – Data from the field gathered in a recent study exploring the effectiveness of various sex education programs across the country appears to be in conflict with policy recommendations made by a panel of research analysts.  Sandy Pickert, RN, MPH, Executive Director of Abstinence Education, Inc. of Wichita, says lawmakers, parents and the public would do well to proceed with caution until more details of the study commissioned by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are released.

“The CDC study panel concluded that comprehensive sex education programs (CSE) that include and promote condom use and instruction are effective,” says Pickert.  “Yet the data they analyzed shows that in schools, which is the crucial battleground for the hearts, minds and health of our teens, these programs had no significant impact on teen condom use, pregnancy or STDs.”

Ms. Pickert points to a dissenting report by expert from the panel who say the data they reviewed from programs in schools had no significant impact on teen condom use, pregnancy or STDs.  The dissenting report was issued by Irene Ericksen and Danielle Ruedt, two members of the CDC’s study's panel of consultants. (See dissenting report at: www.instituiteresearch.com)
 
According to Ericksen, a research analyst with The Institute for Research & Evaluation in Salt Lake City, the study also performed statistical tests that showed no difference between abstinence education (AE) vs. CSE on key outcomes: teen condom use, sexual activity, pregnancy, and STDs. Furthermore, Abstinence Education programs produced a significant reduction in teen sexual activity, coming from 10 different studies and 6 authors. 

Ericksen added, "It is unfortunate the statistical evidence that demonstrates the above discrepancies was not released to the public along with the Recommendation Statement." Ms. Pickert says releasing the data would allow policymakers and parents in Kansas and elsewhere to draw their own conclusions.   
 
“Here in Kansas we’re working to provide parents and kids with scientifically accurate, evidence-based information on why abstinence from sexual activity not only reduces physical and emotional damage, it eliminates them,” says Pickert.  “Although the study of abstinence education is very new, there is a limited, but growing body of evidence that teens are responding to the abstinence message by making the healthy choice to avoid sexual activity and other risky behavior. I see this firsthand as I interact with Kansas teens.”  

“While I sympathize with experts asked to provide solutions for complex social problems that have been decades in the making, two things are clear.  First, there’s evidence that what most teens get in the classroom—comprehensive sex-education—isn’t working.  Second, research evidence does not support eliminating abstinence education programs from the classroom in favor of a “comprehensive” strategy that has not been proven to be effective.”