Election Day is coming; will Ohio’s candidates make adolescent reproductive health a priority?

In Ohio, sex education varies among school districts and is often episodic and inconsistent. Research shows that when sex education is comprehensive (builds on itself, is taught Kindergarten through twelfth-grade), age-appropriate, evidence-based, medically accurate and inclusive (of all genders, sexual orientations, race and ethnicities) it can delay sexual initiation. It can also reduce unintended pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, improve academic success and prevent child abuse, dating violence and bullying. Will Ohio’s candidates make adolescent reproductive health a priority? That's just one of the questions we are asking them. What are the others? Find out here Click To Tweet

Research shows that when sex education is comprehensive (builds on itself, is taught Kindergarten through twelfth-grade), age-appropriate, evidence-based, medically accurate and inclusive (of all genders, sexual orientations, race and ethnicities) it can delay sexual initiation.

Community conversations hosted by Community Solutions with more than 100 young people in Cuyahoga County emphasized the need for improved, increased and more relevant sex education. Young people voiced their desire for accurate information, access to resources for where to seek sexual health care and trusted adults to turn to with questions about healthy relationships and consent.

Young people voiced their desire for accurate information, access to resources for where to seek sexual health care and trusted adults to turn to with questions about healthy relationships and consent.

Ohio ranks high in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among teens: 7^th nationally for gonorrhea cases and 10^th nationally for chlamydia cases. In 2017, Ohioans under the age of 29 accounted for nearly half of the new HIV infections. More than 80 percent of teen pregnancies are unplanned.

Young people deserve access to quality information about their bodies, relationships, communication and consent. Comprehensive sex education provides this in order for young people to have the tools and resources to make informed decisions for their health and lives. Healthy young people means healthy future citizens of Ohio. Our questions to the gubernatorial candidates are:

Would you support the adoption of health standards for Ohio’s young people?
Would you continue to support funding for unproven curriculum in Ohio schools?
Do you support strengthening protections for LGBTQ youth in Ohio schools?