In a letter to the federal government last week, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano rejected $1 million in Title V federal funds for abstinence only education programs. This move makes Arizona the 16th state to refuse the federal matching funds for abstinence only.
“With the restrictions, unfortunately we’re not able to give kids all the information they need. If you teach abstinence-only, you can’t teach birth control and other information they need,” said Jeanine L’Ecuyer, Governor Napolitano’s spokeswoman, according toRH Reality Check.
Arizona’s rejection is the latest in a surge of states rejecting abstinence only funds. It follows reports released in 2007 that highlighted the ineffectiveness of abstinence only education programs in delaying or preventing teen sexual activity or pregnancy. In 2005-2006, the teen birth rate rose for the first time since 1991, according to a report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
