Jun 24, 2009

Young Women's Health

Healthy Teen Act: (A01806)
The Healthy Teen Act proposed by New York Assemblyman Richard Gottfried seeks to educate and promote safe sexual behavior in the teen population. The bill was officially introduced into the New York Assembly on January 12, 2009. In took a couple of months for the bill to be modified. The Healthy Teen Act passed June 17, 2009 by a vote of 126 to 16. The measure establishes an age appropriate sex-education grant programs through the New York Department of Health. Assembly members recognized the need for New York State to revisit how public health law for teens has failed to educate teens about options after indulging in dangerous sexual activity. The actual bill states:


“This bill would establish an age-appropriate sex education grant program within the Department of Health. The Department, from amounts annually appropriated, will give grants to school districts, boards of cooperative educational, services, school-based health centers, and community-based organizations with a proven history of success in reaching the adolescents of this state, to assist them in conducting a thorough and comprehensive education program aimed at preventing unwanted pregnancies and occurrences of sexually transmitted diseases among youth.”

This legislation marks a milestone in the government’s commitment to young people’s health in this state. Debate on the measure highlighted the alarming high pregnancy rate in New York. In 2004, over 40, 000 teen pregnancies were reported. Aside, from teen pregnancies sexually transmitted infections have also increased. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control, national rates of Chlamydia and gonorrhea are highest among 15 to 24 year-olds. One in every four teenagers in New York is at risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection. These numbers increase in big cities like New York City, Buffalo and Albany. This bill will help support non-governmental organizations, as well as public schools which provide information and funds to New York’s young people. The Healthy Teen Act will take effect immediately.

http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A01806