A Closer Look at Florida
February 2009
Proposed bill would bring contraceptive education to schools
Florida knows more about the pitfalls of unsafe sex than most any other state.
The state ranked third from the top in the number of teen births per state in 2006. It had more abortions than 42 of 44 other states reporting data in 2005, and it had more cumulative AIDS cases than 47 other states in 2007.
Parents Encourage Schools To Talk Sex
SANFORD, Fla. -- Some local parents want Seminole County's public schools to talk about sex. The school system has an abstinence-only curriculum, but some parents said they believe that puts kids in danger.
POLL: Proposed bill would bring contraceptive education to schools
Florida
knows more about the pitfalls of unsafe sex than most any other
state.
The state ranked third from the top in the number of teen births
per state in 2006. It had more abortions than 42 of 44 other states reporting
data in 2005, and it had more cumulative AIDS cases than 47 other states in
2007.
Volusia to expand sex-ed curriculum
By LINDA TRIMBLE
Education writer
Education writer
DELAND -- Sex education classes in Volusia County schools are about to be expanded to include information on birth control and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases beginning in eighth grade.
GOVERNOR CRIST AGREES TO REVIEW FLORIDA’S ABSTINENCE-ONLY FUNDING
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Adrienne Kimmell, 941.923.5500
February 18, 2009
GOVERNOR CRIST AGREES TO REVIEW FLORIDA’S
ABSTINENCE-ONLY FUNDING
Sarasota, FL — The Healthy Teens Campaign, a broad-based group of over 80 organizations working together to advocate for comprehensive sex education in Florida public schools to improve the health and safety of Florida teens, applauded Governor Crist today for his commitment to “review abstinence-only funding.”
Teens Have 70% Of STDs Locally, Statistics Show
February 16, 2009, Tampa Tribune
Sexually transmitted disease rates are soaring in the Tampa Bay area, with more than 70 percent of the cases among 15- to 19-year-olds.
At least 3 percent of all teens 15 and older in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties had an STD in 2007, more than twice the historically low rates of the early 1990s, according to Florida Department of Health records.
Sexually transmitted disease rates are soaring in the Tampa Bay area, with more than 70 percent of the cases among 15- to 19-year-olds.
At least 3 percent of all teens 15 and older in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties had an STD in 2007, more than twice the historically low rates of the early 1990s, according to Florida Department of Health records.
Pushing beyond abstinence-only policies
February 5, 2009, South Florida Blade
Florida has consistently ranked among the leading states reporting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, among young people and as well as teen pregnancies.
Despite prevention efforts by the Florida Department of Health and a phalanx of non-profit organizations, it is clear getting the message across to youth about safe sex has been elusive throughout the state.
Editorial: Failure to reduce children having children extremely costly; socially, financially
February 2, 2009
Concerned health experts are scratching their heads trying to determine why the nation's teen birth rate suddenly increased after declining for about 15 years.
Various claims have put the blame on abstinence-only education; on comprehensive sex education; the media, including TV and movies, for glamorizing young mothers; and on demographic and cultural changes.
Most, however, seem to agree that pre-teens must become more aware about the consequences of teen pregnancy and births.