All women deserve the right to decide if, when and how to start a family.
This requires access—to comprehensive sex education as well as unrestricted access to sexual and reproductive health services. Young people deserve access to medically accurate, comprehensive sex education in order to make informed decisions for their futures. Access matters.
In Douglas County, rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among young people ages 15 to 24 are notably higher than they are in the state of Nebraska—or even nationwide. Adolescents in our community continue to report epidemic rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia specifically.
This is why, after careful research, including community conversations and planning by the Women’s Fund and other stakeholders, the Adolescent Health Project launched in 2015. Donors have invested nearly $6 million toward the development and implementation of community-wide changes.
The Adolescent Health Project aims to increase sexual health knowledge of youth and improve health outcomes by providing barrier-free access to STD testing and treatment and highly effective forms of contraception to reduce STDs and unintended pregnancies, particularly among young people of all genders, ages 24 and younger.
Increased Access to Free STD Testing & Treatment
STD rates among young people, ages 15 to 24, are notably higher in Douglas County than they are in the state of Nebraska or nationwide. Adolescents in our community continue to report epidemic rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia specifically.
The Women’s Fund invests grants in local organizations that are working to increase the availability of free STD testing and treatment. Private donors provide funding for the grants.
In 2016, Adolescent Health Project grantees significantly increased the number of sites offering evening and weekend STD testing, with several organizations doubling or tripling the number of hours they offer testing each week. The number of STD tests completed by grantees doubled from 2014 to 2016.
All organizations receiving these grants have committed to creating or expanding programs benefiting all genders, ages 15 to 24, in the areas of STD testing, STD treatment and condom distribution. By increasing the accessibility of free testing and treatment, we will create sustainable, community-wide changes in the sexual knowledge and health of Omaha’s youth.
Community-Wide Condom Distribution
Through the Adolescent Health Project, the Women’s Fund began community-wide distribution of free condoms in January 2016. Condom distribution programs have been proven to increase condom use, prevent HIV/STDs and save money by reducing STD rates and unintended pregnancies.
Our grantees distribute condoms in Get Checked Omaha branded containers at health centers and 147 locations where young people frequent—such as coffee shops, clothing boutiques, restaurants, bars, hair salons and college campuses. There’s no age requirement—anyone can get free condoms without judgement.
The number of free condoms distributed increased from nearly 42,000 in 2015 to more than one million in 2018.
Communicating with Young People
Open and honest conversations about healthy relationships, consent and sex can help young people make the decision to postpone sex and avoid STDs and unintended pregnancy.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends talking to youth as early as age 9 about sex, with discussions about healthy relationships even earlier. Creating an approachable environment for young people is key.
Communication is an important component of sexual literacy, and parents and teachers alike need to become “askable adults” for young people. Having positive home, school and community environments are significant protective facts in preventing negative sexual health outcomes. Askable adults create safe, affirming spaces where youth feel comfortable asking questions and having ongoing conversations about these topics.
There are many resources available to help adults increase their comfort level and knowledge base for effective conversation around sex and healthy relationships. Check out the parent/caregiver resources at www.BirdsBeesandSTDs.com.