California’s 1.6 million high school students are starting another year, but without a critical school supply that I would argue is necessary for teens: condoms. Why should California public high schools be required to provide condoms to students? Because condom availability programs are an effective public health strategy supported by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help keep sexually active high school students safe.
### The Importance of Condom Distribution
According to the CDC, young people aged 15-24 accounted for 53% of new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in 2020. Nineteen percent of all new HIV cases in 2021 were among young people between the ages of 15-24. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for measures to protect high school students in California from the risks associated with unprotected sex.
### The YHES Act: A Solution to Protecting Students’ Health
The Youth Health Equity + Safety (YHES) Act (SB 954) presents a golden opportunity for the Golden State to address these concerning statistics. This act would expand access to condoms by requiring public and charter high schools to make free condoms readily available to students. By equipping young people with the means to protect themselves from STIs, the YHES Act aims to safeguard the well-being of students, extend their lifespan, and prevent the spread of infections within the wider community.
### Advocacy for Health Equity in Schools
The California School-Based Health Alliance (CSHA), an organization dedicated to improving health access and equity in schools, stands in support of the YHES Act. By collaborating with schools and healthcare partners, CSHA strives to bring essential health services to students where they spend a significant portion of their time – at school. The alliance’s endorsement of the bill underscores the importance of providing young people with the tools and resources they need to make informed and healthy decisions regarding their sexual health.
### Addressing Disparities in Access to Condoms
While some districts, such as Los Angeles Unified, San Francisco Unified, and Oakland Unified, already offer condom access programs, the majority of schools in California do not. An online survey conducted by TeenSource revealed that 68% of California teens lack access to condoms at their high school, with 98% agreeing that easier access would increase condom use among sexually active teens. The implementation of SB 954 would require all public and charter high schools to make internal and external condoms readily available to students for free, starting in the 2025-26 school year.
### Ensuring Equitable Access to Health Services
California’s high school students have a fundamental right to consent to and access medically accurate, confidential, culturally relevant, and age-appropriate health services within their school environment. While significant progress has been made in reducing unintended pregnancies among adolescents in the past two decades, the persistent prevalence of STIs among young people aged 15-24 necessitates a more proactive approach to addressing this public health issue.
### Legislative Progress and Funding Allocation
State Sen. Caroline Menjivar, D-Van Nuys, has championed the YHES Act for the second time, successfully navigating the bill through the state’s Legislature. Menjivar’s efforts have secured $5 million to cover the costs of distributing free condoms in public high schools for three years, ensuring that schools have the necessary resources to implement this crucial initiative. The bill’s provision for funding allocation alleviates concerns about imposing an unfunded mandate on schools, thereby facilitating the seamless integration of condom distribution programs.
### A Call for Action
To mitigate public health disparities and promote health equity among California youth, advocates for youth health and education urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign the YHES Act into law. By enacting this legislation, the state can take a significant step towards safeguarding the well-being of high school students and empowering them to make informed choices about their sexual health.
In conclusion, the implementation of the YHES Act represents a pivotal opportunity for California to prioritize the health and safety of its high school students. By ensuring equitable access to condoms in schools, the state can support young people in making responsible decisions about their sexual health and well-being. As advocates continue to push for the enactment of this critical legislation, the future looks brighter for California’s youth in terms of health equity and disease prevention.