Federal Money Approved for College Age Abstinence Programs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is allowing federally funded abstinence-education dollars to reach a population that includes those of college age. It sounds like a good idea. For example, from the press release:

“Not only do people in this age group have the highest STD rates, but they also have the highest non-marital pregnancy rates.”

“More than one out of three college students have already had six or more sexual partners. This greatly increases their risk for contracting a sexually transmitted infection.”

“Forty-three percent of college age women report having been pregnant at some time.”

“More than forty percent of sexually active college age women contract human papillomavirus (HPV) within a few years time. This virus causes virtually all cervical cancer.”

“One-third of all cases of chlamydia, which can cause infertility, occur among this age group.”

“One in five college women have been forced to have sex.”

The statistics come from the Medical Institute for Sexual Health.

You can read the entire press release here.