Abstinence-only education can reduce sexual activity, research finds
Here's a look at some of the top health news being talked about around the U.S. and the world today:
• In a study of 12- and 13-year olds, new research suggests abstinence-only education reduced sexual activity by nearly one-third compared to students who received no sex education, it was reported this week. Other forms of sex education reduced sexual activity by about 20 percent and reduced multiple sexual partners by about 40 percent, according to the study.
• A new study suggests smokers are impacted by the health risks of their own second-hand smoke, with a person who smokes 14 cigarettes per day in a confined area actually inhaling the equivalent of about three additional cigarettes.
• Herbal supplements like ginkgo biloba, St. John's wort and other supplements can carry risks for heart patients by increasing or decreasing the potency of prescriptions of heart disease medication and other risks, according to new research.
• Fish oil pills may be able to prevent mental illness from progressing into fully-developed schizophrenia in some people.
Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.
Comments
uawisok
Tue, Feb 2, 2010 : 3:14 p.m.
Cinnabar, Any kind of "indoctrination" to children is always suspect, especially when you add the religious mix. When it was age appropriate my children did also learn about the legal right of abortion as an option to terminate a pregnancy. As with other discussions pregnancy prevention was also a topic and the how too's....and that sex between to emoitionally mature people in the privacy of their home was natural and intended to be pleasurable.It's not just for pro-creation.. :)
Linda Diane Feldt
Tue, Feb 2, 2010 : 1:39 p.m.
I would have to agree that abstinence only education is better than nothing. But that is about it. Repeated studies have also shown that students with abstinence only education are less likely to use birth control if they are sexually active, and that there is little difference in sexual activity in those who have had abstinence only programs and those with a comprehensive sexual education. Full and comprehensive education is always a good choice, no matter the subject. I teach 10th grade sex ed. They need the information for their future, to help their peers, and for some they also need it right now. Abstinence is the best way to prevent pregnancy and STIs and they get that message as well.
cinnabar7071
Tue, Feb 2, 2010 : 12:57 p.m.
uawisok Just make sure you also teach your children about abortion, since you are so afraid of religous indoctrination.
quitoslady
Tue, Feb 2, 2010 : 12:43 p.m.
If you kids not to do something that is the first thing they will want to do. Who is to say they don't lie about their sexual experience anyway.
uawisok
Tue, Feb 2, 2010 : 12:21 p.m.
"Abstinence-only education can reduce sexual activity, research finds" so does scaring children with ruler beatings and other forms of religous indoctrination,,IMO