Wakulla.com, July 8,2008

Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor and the Health Network Alliance will hold “A Youth Conference and Wake-Up Call on Sexual Awareness: An Intense Discussion about Pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Abstinence” to address the issues in a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A similar conference was held in April 2008 in Tallahassee.

The Centers for Disease Control issued a report on the reproductive health of African American teenagers. A startling revelation shows that 48% of African American girls age 14-19 are infected with a sexually transmitted disease. This conference seeks to provide pertinent information by health professionals to local teenagers that may raise their awareness to the travesties of sex and its potential consequences. The conference will be conducted with a general session and age appropriate break-out sessions for boys and girls and a special break-out session for parents.

The Health Network Alliance seeks to raise the awareness to youth in grades 4 through 7 and 8 through 12 with collaboration from the Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Children and Families, Leon County Health Department, Wakulla County Health Department, Shisa, Inc., MAACA, Inc. and the Florida A&M University School of Allied Health. Students grades 4 through 12 and parents are invited to attend. This conference is free.

WHO: Leon County Board of County Commissioner Bill Proctor (District 1) and the Health Network Alliance

WHAT: A Youth Conference and Wake-Up Call on Sexual Awareness

WHEN: Saturday, July 19, 2008. 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

WHERE: Wakulla County Public Library, Crawfordville, Florida