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December 2007 update on new publications, actions you can take, and more!
Advocates for Youth's e-News Update
News You Can Use
New Study - Same Verdict
Abstinence-Only Programs Don't Work!
In November, the release of Emerging Answers 2007: Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, a report authored by Douglas Kirby, PhD, a leading researcher in adolescent health, confirmed, once again, that the $1.5 billion federal and state investment in abstinence-only-until-marriage programs is a waste of taxpayer money.
The report, commissioned by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, examined both comprehensive sex education and abstinence-only programs. Of the 48 programs included in the study, the only programs that delayed sexual initiation were comprehensive sex education programs. Moreover, the report clearly states "there does not exist any strong evidence that any abstinence program delays the initiation of sex, hastens the return to abstinence, or reduces the number of sexual partners."
Blog: One Day is Not Enough
Lesley, a member of Advocates' International Youth Leadership Council wrote this blog for World AIDS Day on December 1.
Although every December 1st we set aside a day - World AIDS Day - to address the global problems of AIDS, we must be aware that for millions of people around the world who are living with HIV and AIDS December 1st is just another day. Worldwide, over 33.2 million people are living with this disease and in 2007, 2.1 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses. HIV/AIDS is not like the common cold, you don't get to take a little medicine and have a cure. This disease is here to stay. It is, in fact, a global killer.
Read the full blog here
New Research
Advocates is pleased to announce a new addition to our website, Advocates' Featured Research. Each month we will bring to you abstracts from the newest research on adolescent and sexual health. Don't miss these important findings!
UNAIDS 2007 AIDS Epidemic Update
UNAIDS, November, 2007
UNAIDS released its 2007 statistics for the HIV/AIDS epidemic worldwide. Because of improvements in reporting, there were dramatic changes to numbers from 2006, including that the number of people worldwide living with HIV dropped from 39.5 million to 33.2 million, with 22.5 million of these in Africa.
Read the full report here: http://data.unaids.org/pub/EPISlides/2007/2007_epiupdate_en.pdf
Read the recently added articles:
- District of Columbia HIV/AIDS Epidemiology Annual Report
- Inspiring Healthy Adolescent Choices: A Rationale for and Guide to Strength Promotion in Primary Care. Journal of Adolescent Health, December, 2007
- Giving Girls Today and Tomorrow. Breaking the Cycle of Adolescent Pregnancy. UNFPA, November, 2007
- Helping Parents In Developing Countries Improve Adolescents' Health. World Health Organization, November, 2007
- Health Disparities in HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Tuberculosis in the US: Issues, Burden and Response. National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control, November, 2007
- Abortion Surveillance - United States, 2004. MMWR Surveillance Summaries, November 23, 2007
- Ten myths and one truth about generalised HIV epidemics. Lancet, December 1, 2007 (Registration required)
News of the Absurd
Hedgehogs and frogs get benefits, but domestic partners do not
Employees at Palm Beach Community College will be able to get medical benefits for the pets starting in January 2008. However, the college does not offer benefits for domestic partners, even though it would not cost them any extra money.
"The fact of the matter is puppies are covered, partners are not," said Rand Hoch, president of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, who sent a letter to PBCC President Dennis Gallon requesting the domestic partner plan be put before trustees again in January. "It's the same benefit; neither costs the college a penny"
To read the full article, please click here.
New At Advocates
Fresh Focus: A Sex-Ed Digital Video Contest
Advocates for Youth, Internet Sexuality Information Services Inc. (ISIS), National Sexuality Resource Center (NSRC), RH Reality Check, and the Sexuality Education and Information Council of the United States (SIECUS) are running a digital video contest for people ages 15-30. The deadline to enter is December 31, 2007, and the winning entry receives $3,500!
Using digital video technology, tell us what your sex education experience was like or tell us how you would redesign sex education for the future!
For more information, please visit: http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/freshfocus.
Eighth European Study Tour Cancelled
Advocates for Youth regretfully announces that the 2008 European Study Tour has been cancelled. The falling value of the US dollar, the rising fuel costs for plane and bus fares, and hotel increases have increased the cost of the trip by almost 40 percent. We hope that if economic conditions change that we will be able to offer the study tour again in the near future.
In the Spotlight
Andrew is a member of the International Youth Leadership Council and lives in Kingston, Jamaica. He recently won the Prime Minister's Youth Award for Excellence, for leadership.
I have a passion for advocating for the rights of young people. I believe that they have the power to unlock their potential - potential that that will help them to shape their own future. However, some young people need someone to guide them, while others need someone to speak for them or help them speak.
This is why I got involved in activism work - because I want to represent young people. I want the world to know that young people are the greatest asset we have towards making this world a better place. I want to see bright smiles on the faces of as many young as I possibly can. I believe I can help those who are already smiling to continue smiling; and for those who haven't smiled in a while, I want to help them to smile again.
Youth activism can be very time-consuming. You've got to take the time to know your facts in order for you to lobby effectively; you have to take time to speak with the people you want to convince so that they can believe and accept what you say. It can be very challenging when friends refuse to support you or "stiff-necked" policymakers refuse to hear you out. But that comes with being an advocate.
Activism is very moving. Hearing young people speak about their unfortunate experiences and what they'd really want to see changed brings tears of sadness, but seeing the difference you can make in their lives is rewarding.
I am in my second year as a member of the International Youth Leadership Council of Advocates for Youth (one of only two Jamaicans on the Council). And I will be starting my first year of a Masters Program in Communication for Social and Behavioral Change at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica in January.
In Memory of Debra Delgado
Advocates for Youth Family Mourns Passing of a Champion and a Friend
Debra Delgado, a long-time youth advocate at The Atlantic Philanthropies and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, passed away on Sunday, December 2. Many members of the Advocates team worked closely with Debra over the years on projects to improve the sexual and reproductive health of young people. Debra was a true champion of adolescent rights. She believed passionately that strong families and strong communities are the key to providing youth with real opportunity in life.
As a colleague and friend, Debra was smart, warm, and witty. But above all, she was authentic: true to her values, friendships, and work.
All of her friends here at Advocates were devastated by the news. It is difficult to think about our field--and our world--without Debra in it. We will take some solace in the fact that each and every one of us has the opportunity to carry forward her vision for a world that truly values young people. Indeed, this is the best tribute we can pay to our valued colleague and friend.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Debra's family.
You can help Advocates for Youth with a contribution today. To donate, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/about/donatetoday.htm
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