Sex education is key to ending HIV

On World AIDS Day, we come together to reflect on the progress made in the global fight against HIV/AIDS and to recognize the ongoing challenges faced by those affected by the epidemic, including in our communities here in Connecticut.

This year, as threats to sex education grow increasingly prominent, we must shine a spotlight on the vital role that sex ed plays in stopping the spread of HIV, reducing stigma, and creating a future where new infections are rare and early diagnosis and treatment are the norm.

The wide-ranging benefits of comprehensive sex education have been widely studied and endorsed by professional associations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  The National Sex Education Standards have recently been updated to incorporate a growing body of research demonstrating the positive impact of more inclusive curricula that address sexual orientation, gender identity, and racial equity along with discussing how stigma and social pressure discourage people from getting tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Yet here in Connecticut, school districts are not required to align their curriculum with these best practices.  According to 2022 data published by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), less than 64% of Connecticut schools taught all 22 sexual health topics in grades 9-12.  Only 68% of Connecticut school districts provide educators with approved sex ed lesson plans and content.

So where does this leave our young people?  Often, without the tools and resources they need to make informed decisions about sex and health. 

The CDC’s 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that among Connecticut high schoolers who report being sexually active, approximately 40% did not use a condom during their last intercourse.  That percentage climbed to 49% for LGBTQ+ survey respondents, and just over 50% for those who are Black/African-American, reflecting the systemic inequities both communities face. 

Almost 95% of all Connecticut high school respondents had never been tested for HIV.  Condom use and regular testing are two of the public health cornerstones for reducing HIV transmission.  Increased access to comprehensive sex education is critical to addressing the current gaps so we can better protect the health and well-being of young people across our state.

Teaching young people about sex and health increases their knowledge about their own bodies and equips them with information and skills to navigate healthy relationships with their partners when they are ready.  Age-appropriate sex education across the K-12 curriculum helps to reduce stigma that can lead to risky behaviors later in life.  Learning about healthy sexuality from trusted adults like parents, caregivers, and teachers is a powerful way to counteract the harmful misinformation and social pressure young people are constantly exposed to on social media and other digital platforms.  Sex education is a critical subject, and it is what all of our students deserve.

At Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, we are committed to ensuring that everyone has the tools, knowledge, and skills they need to protect themselves and others. Every day, our educators are reaching young people, parents, and youth-serving professionals to expand access to medically accurate, evidence-based sex education curricula.  Our health centers provide comprehensive HIV testing, patient education, and access to pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP) prescription medication. 

Together with our public health partners across the state, we are preventing countless new infections and ensuring those at risk have access to life-saving interventions. But we can’t do it alone. Ending the HIV epidemic will require partnerships at every level, local, state, and national, to invest in education, expand access to care, and dismantle the stigma that prevents too many from getting the help they need.

This World AIDS Day, let us honor those we have lost by recommitting to the fight. Let us pledge to make comprehensive sex education the norm for all of Connecticut’s students, as we strive to make testing and treatment widely available. Together, we can create a future where no one is left behind in the fight against HIV.

Liana Cunningham is Senior Director of Education and Training at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England.