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Journal of Adolescent Health
December 2020

Sex Education: Broadening the Definition of Relevant Outcomes

Leslie M. Kantor,Rutgers University
Laura D. Lindberg,Guttmacher Institute
Yara Tashkandi
Jennifer S. Hirsch
John S. Santelli,Guttmacher Institute
The time is now. Will you stand up for reproductive health and rights?
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First published online: December 18, 2020

Abstract

Substantial evidence exists for the efficacy and effectiveness of comprehensive sex education (CSE) in positively influencing behaviors related to preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including delaying sexual intercourse, increasing contraception and condom use, and reducing the frequency of sex and number of partners. The scientific evidence also provides ample assurance that sex education does not have negative outcomes. The value of systematically gathering evidence about effective sex education programs is exemplified by two pioneering reports by Dr. Douglas Kirby, No Easy Answers: Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy and Emerging Answers: Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. These reports illuminated the common characteristics across effective programs and subsequently influenced the development of a new, more scientifically informed set of curricula and interventions Goldfarb and Lieberman's new review, Three Decades of Research: The Case for Comprehensive Sex Education build on this legacy. 

Full commentary available in Journal of Adolescent Health
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Report

Assessing State-Level Variations in High School Students’ Sexual and Contraceptive Behavior: The 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys

Policy Analysis

It’s Time for Congress to Give All Young People the Sexual Health Resources They Need to Thrive

Topic

United States

  • Teens

Geography

  • United States

Tags

Sex Education

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