Developing a health advocacy campaign

The State of Texas is currently in support of an increase in efforts to educate students on

HIV and AIDS information (National Conference of State Legislatures, NCSL, 2016).

Furthermore, the information availed should be scientifically true and accurate. Prior studies

have shown that young individuals who are aged between 12-24 years old account for over half

of the new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Moreover, about 1 in 4 adolescent girls who are

sexually active have an STD. This is a staggering rate, and they suffer from a variety of diseases

such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and chlamydia (Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention, 2016). The CDC also details that parents should be involved in sex education to deal

with the rising cases of STDs among teens. This will prove beneficial in discouraging teens and

children from engaging in risky and unhealthy behaviors that can expose them to diseases. These

include sexually risky activities and alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse. The goal of this paper is to

develop a health advocacy campaign. This is achieved by persuading legislation to change the

current sex education policy that is in place in public schools, and to encourage more

participation by parents.

Through the inclusion of parent involvement in the policy, it would be imperative to

come up with new legislation. Presently, the State of Texas allows parents to provide permission

to allow their children to be educated on sex (Texas Education Agency, 2016). If they do not do

so, then the child is not authorized to take part in sex education classes. However, parents should

not be allowed the final say as to whether the children can access sex education. It should be

compulsory as it would lead to more benefits for children and the state. Moreover, if both the

parent and child attend sex education classes, it will act as a learning experience for both parties.

It is a fact that parents are suspicious and afraid of what their children will learn in these sex
education classes. Current policy requirement state that the information taught in these classes

should be scientifically true and accurate (NCSL, 2016). Since this has been achieved, the

parents would not be concerned about the elements of the curriculum as they would in regards to

what the children are taught about the Second World War.

The NCSL details that about 38 states and the District of Columbia have given

permission that parents should participate in sex education programs. This allows the parents to

make inputs in the curriculum in place and will also enable them to sit in the health education

boards. For instance, the Ohio Senate Bill 311 details that the Ohio Board of Education should

make it compulsory that all schools in the district must allow parents to be directly involved in

the sex education programs. Greater involvement will allow parents to learn and also provide

inputs to make changes in the programs. Furthermore, it will improve interactions between

parents and teachers who are involved with their children (The Parent Involvement Policy. Ohio

Department of Education, 2007). Moreover, the parents will gain an understanding of their role

in their childrens education and will understand the elements of the program. Furthermore, it

can affect the accomplishment of the childs sex education. In this regard, the parents opinions

can be implemented into the education, leading to improvements (The Parent Involvement

Policy. Ohio Department of Education, 2007).

An effective strategy to encourage policy makers to change the policy on sex education is

by providing them with statistics on teen pregnancy and adolescent STD infection rates. A

survey carried out by the CDC shows that over 47 percent of high school students have been

involved in some form of sexual activity. This is a large number, and about half of them are

exposed to dangerous diseases. Moreover, about 15 percent of the respondents said that they

have over four sexual partners, increasing the risk of spreading dangerous diseases and
pregnancy. The NCSL also stated that about one in four girls will be pregnant before they reach

their twenties. The teenage mothers experience more issues as they will have to drop out of

school to take care of their children (NCSL, 2016). They are also less likely to graduate as

having a child as a teenager can lead to harassment when they go back to school. Indeed, such

girls will have to rely on the government and social services for support as the childs father are

also young and jobless, and they cannot take care of the child. These young mothers will also

have poorer health. STDs are quite costly to the economy. The United healthcare system spends

about 16 billion per year to treat STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Office of the Disease

Prevention and Health Promotion. 2016). Once the information has been presented to the policy

makers, they will be aware that changes in the sexual education program will directly benefit the

healthcare system. This will ensure that many of the emerging issues are avoided, and healthcare

costs will be minimized.

As a nurse interested in changes in the current policy, it would be imperative to be part

of the professional organization such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) (Milstead,

2013). According to Mislead, ANA spent about $1,197,342 for lobbying purposes. Indeed,

linking with such an organization would prove benefit as an effective lobbying strategy. This

comprises the three-legged stool that guides lobbying. The first and second lobbying entail the

use of the lobbyist. Policy makers tend to lack time to make decisions on contentious issues, and

will often rely on the expertise of the lobbyists to aid in understanding what they are supporting

or denouncing (Milstead, 2013). The third leg is the funding aspect of lobbying. In this regard,

the linkages with the professional organizations will avoid the burden of funding the lobbyist

through personal finances. The organization is involved in employed the required personnel.

Essentially the lobbyist is essential in policy modifications, and they are quite effective in
encouraging a policy change. Furthermore, they are skilled and knowledgeable on the issue

being petitioned.

Ethics and lobbying laws

An important issue that arises in the legislative process is religion. A large number of

religious groups are not in support of sex education in schools. Furthermore, many of these

groups do not support the use of contraception or even talking about premarital sex. The best

way to avoid this challenge is by reminding the policy makers about the US First Amendment of

the Constitution. This details the link between religion and the government. Essentially, religious

activities and expression are free from government influence, and vice versa (U.S. Department of

Education, 2003). Some parents could argue that teaching students about sex, use of

contraception and STD prevention could encourage an increase in sexual activity. However, this

is not the case. It will allow the students to change their perspective about sex, especially when

they are aware of the data in regards to the risks of sexual intercourse. The parents will also be

inclined to teach their children about sex once they know the dangers that arise due to the current

trend in sexual activity among teenagers.

STD are easily transmitted as that can pass from person to person through a variety of

means. These includes semen, blood, bodily and vaginal fluids. Moreover, they can spread

through non-sexual means such as during childbirth or pregnancy, blood transfusions or sharing

needles. An essential ingredient to prevent sexual infections is by delaying sexual activities

among teenagers (Lederman and Mian, 2003). This is achieved through closer ties among

families and consistency between parent and teen values. Parental beliefs, family structure and

involvement, parent-child communication and parental supervision can influence life choices

among teens. They are vital to prevent high pregnancy rates among teens.
Safer choices initiative

A strategy to deal with the high rates of teen pregnancy, and reduce sexual intercourse

among teens, is by expanding and assessment of the effectiveness of the school-based programs.

These involve strategies to encourage more conservative practices to curb the spread of HIV,

STDs and rise of pregnancy cases among students. It also entails minimization of unsafe

practices among students. The program entails five main components. These involve staff and

educational involvement, school organization, school setting and peer influence, school

community relationships and parent teaching. Indeed, the ultimate goal of the program is to

minimize the number if pupils who engage in unsafe sex by reducing the number of students who

want to have sex during their early years of school. Furthermore, the program intends to

encourage the use of protection among the students who are already having sex.

The next goal is to reduce the number of teenagers who have several sexual partners or

are involved in drug abuse using intravenous means. This will encourage the teenagers to

minimize the number of sexual partners to one, and avoid the use of dangerous drugs that

exposes them to more risks. Moreover, the goal to encourage more students to undergo HIV/STD

testing. Indeed, this is the first stage to reduce the number of infections, and treat those who have

STDs but have not been keen to access medical care. The school-based programs that discourage

risky sexual practices are essential since the can reach a large number of teenagers who are in

school. Furthermore, many teenagers are in high school, and these relationships often occur in

the context of school. This would ensure that the initiative is effective as the students will begin

to understand the risks that arise, and the need to make better choices regarding their sexual

health. Despite this, such strategies have been unsuccessful the past. These programs were not
effective in decreasing rates of teenage pregnancy, reducing STD and HIV infection (Journal of

School Health, 1996).

Both strategies have different techniques even though the goal is to reduce teenage

pregnancy and STDs. The first strategy entails the participation of parents to ensure that their

children avoid the issues outlines. In this context, the children are much younger, and parental

involvement is effective in ensuring that they are knowledgeable and increases awareness. The

second strategy involves a school-based program. The approach that relies on parents is more

effective as they are in a good position to ensure that the children avoid risky sexual practices.

The children are also closer to their families, and they feel safer if their parents warn them

against such sexual behaviors.

Effective advocacy campaign

The best efforts for the advocacy campaign would entail a combination of the parental

involvement approach and the school-based approach. The parents should be included in the

school-based programs that seen to reduce pregnancy rates among teens and minimize the spread

of STDs. Indeed, the overall purpose will involve encouraging the children to practice safer sex.

It should not lead on abstinence as this has not been effective in the past. After all, children are

very curious, and it can be very difficult to encourage abstinence. Furthermore, due to peer

pressure, many children will not refrain from sex. A significant number of teens are already

engaging in premarital sex, and it is much better to encourage them to use protection and follow

safe sex practices like testing and maintain aa single sexual partner.
 The US government has used over a billion dollar to support programs that encourage

sexual abstinence among teens (Effective Sex Education, advocatesforyouth.org, 2016).

However, if the parents participant in the process, they give the children a feeling of

preservation. It encourages the children to be aware that they have not been forgotten. Prior

research has shown that if the parents take part in the process, then this would result in higher

academic performance. After all, the parents know their children better, and are often in control

of the activities that the children engage in after school and during weekends. This close links

will discourage children from engaging in sexual risk behavior as they are aware that the wishes

of their parents are for their safety and wellbeing. Active parent participation has also linked to

better academic performance in school, improved student performance and increased social

ability (CDC, 2016). Teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases can have a devastating

effect on the mental state of the student. This can be quite destructive, and the children will not

perform well in class. In many cases, they will feel insecure about their current state, and such

children can be characterized with suicidal feelings and will become antisocial. The parents can

prove effective in providing additional support for the children. This will minimize the chance

that the child will drop out of school due to pregnancies. This will also prevent the development

of negative feelings about their condition. The school-based programs can provide additional

support services. This will ensure that the student interacts with fellow learners and that the

entire school community respects the current condition of the student. This will mean that other

students would not mentally torture the pregnant teen, and she will feel accepted.

Ethical dilemma

An ethical dilemma arises from whether it is moral for parents to teach their children

about sex an easy age or it is a derivative of the teachers. It can be awkward for some parents,
especially staunch Catholics, to teach their children about sex, especially about protection. This

can be seen as encouraging them to have sex. On the other hand, a moral issue arises as to

whether the children can be engaged in risky sexual behaviors is they are not informed early.

Due to closer links between teachers and parents in implementing the strategy, the child will

begin to understand that the school is a safe place to reveal any misconceptions and also ask for

assistance in case of any issue. This will encourage them to ask questions about STD or even

pregnancy test if they feel that they have been affected. The Department of Health and Human

series has detailed that teen who lacks parental controls are two times more likely to become

pregnant. However, those with parental reciprocity will influence them to use condoms, and this

will remain the case later in life. Based on the advocacy campaign, encouraging parents to take

part in the school-based programs would lead to many benefits.

Special ethical challenges

Many ethical challenges apply to the target population. This entail talking about sex to

children who are young. Essentially, it can be difficult to talk about protection when the children

are quite young, and some do not even know what sex is. It would be difficult to ensure that they

understand the importance of protection, and why they should avoid sexual intercourse until they

are old enough. Teenagers are often involved in risky behavior It is a time when teenagers often

avoid listening to the advice of adults, and they can easily engage in sexual acts even if they are

advised against doing so. However, constant interactions between the teachers, parents and

students will be quite influential to ensure that they understand the importance of avoiding sexual

intercourse ta a young age, and using protection if they have already begun. It is an ethical

challenge to encourage teenagers to use protections this would be seen as a sign that thy should
have sex as long as they have protection. Essentially, it encourages sexual behavior at a young

age which is unethical.

In conclusion, the health advocacy campaign entails the use of school-based initiatives

and a parent-centered approach. The use of both methods will ensure that the rates of HIV/AIDS

infection and teenage pregnancy has been minimized. The campaign will be effective through the

use of lobbying groups. This will minimize the use financial resources and will guarantee the

effectiveness of the advocacy efforts. Some ethical issues also arise in coming up with a health

advocacy campaign. However, they can be dealt with by considering the needs of various

stakeholders, and applying the legislations that guide lobbying.

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