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021597 Young people need information about sex 

By Francine Stein and Rose Brown

If there were a way to prevent cancer 97 percent of the time, the public would demand to know about it. Yet, there is a way to prevent a deadly disease 97 percent of the time, but not many peo­ple want to talk or hear about it.

That disease is HIV/AIDS, and one of the best ways to prevent its spread for sexually active men and women (in addi­tion to abstinence) is to use condoms. But not enough people know the best way to protect themselves, because many Americans are uncomfortable talking about sexuality, and because some perpetu­ate the myth that talk­ing about sex leads to promiscuous behavior.

Yesterday marked the start of National Condom Week, an ini­tiative to raise aware­ness of condoms and their critical role in the fight against sex­ually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnan­cy.

Almost everyone is aware that con­doms exist, and most of us know what they're designed to do. They are easily purchased at convenience stores, drug stores and grocery stores. So why do we need a National Condom Week?

According to a study by the Institute of Medicine, the United States has the highest rate among developed countries of treatable STIs, accounting for five of the 10 most common diseases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One quarter of the 12 mil­lion new STI cases each year occurs among adolescents. However, the public sector spends only $1 on prevention for every $43 spent on treatment.

And, despite recent encouraging re­ports that the pregnancy rate among teens is dropping, the United States still has the highest teen pregnancy rate of any developed country. Every day there are 2,800 new teen pregnancies, of which 82 percent are unintended. In 75 percent of these cases, the teens were using no contraception.

The good news is that condoms can help. According to the CDC, spermicidal latex condoms have a pregnancy‑pre­vention rate of up to 97 percent and are up to 99.9 percent effective in protecting against HIV and other STIs when used correctly and consistently. But the cash­ier at the drugstore doesn't provide that information. For that we need responsi­ble sexuality education.

When we know that so many of our young people face such risks, and when we have the tools to help them protect themselves, why are efforts to encou­rage condom awareness so minimal? Sadly, we as families, as elected officials and as a nation still resist open, honest communication. As if talking about these issues will give rise to unaccepta­ble behavior rather than encourage re­sponsibility.

But the truth is quite different. Com­munication has an extremely positive effect. Young people involved in sexuali­ty and HIV education programs do not become sexually active at a younger age. Responsible sexuality education helps to delay the onset of sexual activ­ity among young people and provides potentially life‑saving information while supporting the choice of those who de­cide to delay sexual activity or to prac­tice abstinence.

Yet, some people still object to re­sponsible sexuality education. Our na­tional and state health programs de­signed to curb the epidemic rates of STIs, HIV and teen pregnancy still face threats of suspension. That is why we need National Condom Week.

A primary objective of Planned Par­enthood educational outreach is to pro­vide information to individuals, educa­tors, parents, government agencies, community organizations, and schools regarding safe sexuality. Our most re­cent effort to expand this role is to concentrate supplies and education in our medical centers. Planned Par­enthood "Condom Shops" will offer con­doms at reduced cost along with easily accessible information to assist clients with their choices. The shops will be launched during National Condom Week, Feb. 14 ‑ 21 in four locations in Suffolk and Westchester counties. In addition, as part of our "Love Safely" campaign, Planned Parenthood educa­tors will distribute safe sexuality infor­mation at 15 college and university campuses throughout the counties.

Let's take this week to support par­ents in their efforts to strengthen com­munication regarding sexuality with their own families. Let's encourage our elected officials to fund educational and medical programs to help young people minimize risks. Let's insist that the television networks give air time to corporate sponsors who want to commu­nicate the facts about prevention. Most important, let's encourage young people to learn how to protect themselves.

Francine Stein and Rose Brown are executive directors of Planned Parenthood of Westchester and Rockland and of

Planned Parenthood of Suffolk County, respectively.