Illinois Department of Public Health
Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck urged state lawmakers to vote for a bill that
updates sex education requirements in Illinois schools.
As evidence of the need
for enhanced education, Hasbrouck cited the high incidence of STDs in Illinois.
Cook County has the highest incidence of syphilis and gonorrhea and the second
highest rate of chlamydia in the country, according to Hasbrouck. In addition,
more than 100 Illinois counties reported at least one case of chlamydia in
2012.
Hasbrouck noted that present state
law allows Illinois schools and school districts to opt out of providing sex
education. Also, current Illinois sex education programs tend to be
abstinence-based. Hasbrook recommends this be replaced with an “ABC” approach:
“A being abstinence, B being be faithful or monogamous, and C being condom and
contraception.” The proposed law would allow parents to remove their children
from sex education classes.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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