Hardening of the Arteries, Softening of the Brain.

No, I'm not talking about my upcoming birthday. I'm talking about federally funded abstinence until marriage HIV and STD prevention curricula. Here, for example, is a quotation from one of these programs that was recently featured on my Minnesota AIDS Walk Web site:

The Institute of Medicine states, "...the full clinical spectrum of many STDs is still being described."...[An] example is that studies are finding chlamydia in the atherosclerotic plaque ('hardening of the arteries') that is often the cause of heart attack and strokes many Americans suffer. Some researchers are suggesting that chlamydia may actually cause this problem. Only time and good research will tell." Sexual Health Today, Slide 12, p. 24, Comments.

In fact, the research cited in the curriculum found an association between heart disease and a type of chlamyida (called Chlamydia pneumoniae) that is not sexually transmitted. This bacteria spreads from person to person through respiratory transmission and is a common cause of pneumonia among children and adolescents. It is an entierly different bacteria from Chlamydia Trachomatis, which is sexual transmitted. J.D. Muhlestein, "The Link between Chlamydia pneumoniae and Atherosclerosis." Infectious Medicine, 380 (1997). Stedman's Medical Dictionary (2004).

Keep in mind that many of the same people who are writing such curricula have also vowed their daughters will never be vaccinated against chlamydia because it would encourage them to be immoral. What is being taught is not HIV and STD prevention. What is being taught is conservative ideology and inaccurate science.

Our children have the right to accurate and complete information on how to stay sexually healthy. Their ability to make choices based on this accurate and complete information should be respected. Only then will they be able to behave responsibly.

MINNESOTA - Wake up and smell the coffee!!!! We need honest HIV prevention. And MAP needs your donations to ensure its continued presence. Please go to my Web site and make a donation.

OK, It's Teresa again.  If you would like to make a donation/pledge to the Minnesota AIDS walk...click the icon below:

Or follow this link directly to Paula's team at MAP:  http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/TR?team_id=7430&pg=team&fr_id=1040