[afro-nets] Opposition to Ideologically Driven STI Prevention Policies

[Leela McCullough <leela@healthnet.org>]

HIV and ID Doctors Oppose Ideologically Driven STI Prevention
Policies
-------------------------------------------------------------

18 March, 2005

HIV and infectious disease experts are urging the federal gov-
ernment to stop funding unproven strategies, like abstinence-
only sexual health education, to prevent sexually transmitted
infections (STI).

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the HIV
Medicine Association (HIVMA) say these programs must be replaced
with STI prevention policies that are based on sound science,
not ideology.

Federal funding for programs teaching abstinence until marriage
as the only way to avoid STIs has been increasing since the late
1990s, to nearly $170 million this year. An increase of $39 mil-
lion is included in President George W. Bush's 2006 budget pro-
posal. Furthermore, US law requires the $15 billion program pro-
viding AIDS relief to developing countries to allocate one-third
of its prevention funds to abstinence-only education.

However, there is very little credible, peer-reviewed, published
scientific evidence that abstinence-only sexual health education
programs can prevent STIs. The preponderance of evidence backs
comprehensive sex education programs that address the correct
and consistent use of condoms.

"There's no doubt that the best way to prevent sexually trans-
mitted infections is to abstain from sexual activity, or to be
in a monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner. But we
have to face reality," says Walter E. Stamm, MD, president of
the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). "Most teenag-
ers have sex before they graduate from high school. Millions of
young people, as well as adults, are sexually active outside of
monogamous relationships. We need to supply them with the tools
to make wise choices."

"When spending taxpayer dollars, the federal government has an
obligation to provide accurate information to sexually active
people," adds Paul Volberding, MD, chair of the HIV Medicine As-
sociation Board of Directors. "The evidence shows using condoms
reduces the risk of STIs. The evidence just doesn't support ab-
stinence-only education."

The two organizations have approved a policy statement, avail-
able online at http://www.idsociety.org and http://www.hivma.org
calling for science-based government policies on preventing HIV
and other STIs. The statement comes in response to a spate of
ideologically driven federal policies, including evidence that
federally funded abstinence programs promote misinformation
about condoms and sexual risks, the Center for Disease Control
and Prevention's revision of their condom fact sheet to qualify
the efficacy of condoms in STI prevention, and, congressional
efforts to challenge peer-reviewed federal research grants ad-
dressing issues of human sexuality.

A large body of scientific evidence links correct and consistent
condom use with prevention of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamy-
dia, and herpes. A growing number of studies show condoms reduce
the impact of HPV infection.

IDSA and HIVMA are calling for legislation funding abstinence-
only education programs to be modified to reflect scientific
evidence. They also call for repeal of the requirement that one-
third of prevention funds in the President's Emergency Plan for
AIDS Relief be targeted to abstinence-only programs.

Dr. Volberding notes, "The number of new HIV infections in the
United States was as high last year as it ever was. We are
struggling to control this pandemic. We need to use every tool
available to prevent new infections. Telling people to 'just say
no' just doesn't work."

"Ideology should not be driving our STI prevention strategy,"
adds Dr. Stamm. "Science should. For the sake of public health,
the federal government has a responsibility to provide compre-
hensive information about how to control sexually transmitted
infections."

The Infectious Diseases Society of America is a professional so-
ciety representing nearly 8,000 physicians and scientists who
specialize in infectious diseases. Nested within the IDSA, the
HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA) is the professional home for
more than 2,700 physicians, scientists and other health care
professionals dedicated to the field of HIV/AIDS. HIVMA promotes
quality in HIV care and advocates policies that ensure a compre-
hensive and humane response to the AIDS pandemic informed by
science and social justice. For more information, visit
http://www.idsociety.org and http://www.hivma.org.

Contact:
Steve Baragona
mailto;sbaragona@idsociety.org
Tel.: +1-703-299-0412
Infectious Diseases Society of America
http://www.idsociety.org


--
Leela McCullough, Ed.D.
Director of Information Services
SATELLIFE
30 California Street, Watertown, MA 02472, USA
Tel: +1-617-926-9400 Fax: +1-617-926-1212
mailto:leela@healthnet.org
http://www.healthnet.org