Health officials make condoms, morning-after pill 'teen friendly'
Health officials make condoms, morning-after pill 'teen friendly'
Teenage New Yorkers will get better access to contraceptives - including the controversial morning-after pill - under a new pilot program launched yesterday in the Bronx.
The "Healthy Teens Initiative," which will eventually be expanded citywide, seeks to reduce teen pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases by making reproductive health services more "teen friendly," according to city Health Department officials.
The plan includes giving adolescents better access to condoms as well as emergency contraceptives, or morning-after pills, which have been shown to be 89% effective in preventing pregnancies if taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex.
Teens can get the pills from their doctors, city clinics and hospitals, even ahead of time, without permission from their parents.
"Not all teenagers choose to become sexually active, and we should encourage those who choose to wait," Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden said as he launched the program at an event at Hostos Community College in the Bronx. "For teenagers who choose to have sex, access to care is essential in preventing pregnancy and STDs."
But critics were outraged by the initiative and called the program "wrong-headed."
"It's a signal to kids that you can go out and be as promiscuous as you want and not worry about it," said Mike Long, chairman of the Conservative Party of New York. "There is no value system here."
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, was even blunter.
"It's hard to say what's worse - the stupidity or the moral irresponsibility of these clueless health professionals," Donohue said.
SOURCE:
BY PAUL H.B. SHIN
New York DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Originally published on June 9, 2006
Teenage New Yorkers will get better access to contraceptives - including the controversial morning-after pill - under a new pilot program launched yesterday in the Bronx.
The "Healthy Teens Initiative," which will eventually be expanded citywide, seeks to reduce teen pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases by making reproductive health services more "teen friendly," according to city Health Department officials.
The plan includes giving adolescents better access to condoms as well as emergency contraceptives, or morning-after pills, which have been shown to be 89% effective in preventing pregnancies if taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex.
Teens can get the pills from their doctors, city clinics and hospitals, even ahead of time, without permission from their parents.
"Not all teenagers choose to become sexually active, and we should encourage those who choose to wait," Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden said as he launched the program at an event at Hostos Community College in the Bronx. "For teenagers who choose to have sex, access to care is essential in preventing pregnancy and STDs."
But critics were outraged by the initiative and called the program "wrong-headed."
"It's a signal to kids that you can go out and be as promiscuous as you want and not worry about it," said Mike Long, chairman of the Conservative Party of New York. "There is no value system here."
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, was even blunter.
"It's hard to say what's worse - the stupidity or the moral irresponsibility of these clueless health professionals," Donohue said.
SOURCE:
BY PAUL H.B. SHIN
New York DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Originally published on June 9, 2006
posted by Condom Depot at
2:12 PM
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