“Concern over teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is transforming the debate over sexuality education in the US to a consensus around public health,” said the press release announcing the poll results.  Nearly three-quarters of the respondents believed that “preventing HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases are public health issues and should be left to scientists and experts not to politicians.”  Seventy percent opposed a federal program, passed as part of the 1996 welfare reform bill, that funds so-called abstinence-only-until-marriage education and prohibits funding for education about the use of condoms and contraception.

Other poll findings include the following:

• Over 80 percent believe young people should be given information about protecting themselves from unplanned pregnancies and STDs as well as about abstinence.

• Over 80 percent reject the idea that educating young people about sexuality encourages sexual activity.

• Support for sexuality education in junior high and high school extends to all groups including conservative Christians.

• Over 60 percent believe that sexual exploration among young people is a natural part of growing up and that the best approach is to provide information and services to help them act responsibly; this includes 44 percent of conservatives.