Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new study released today by the US Department of Health and Human Services reveals that abstinence education works. The study is the latest in a line of studies showing the positive of effects abstinence only education programs have on teenagers despite a concerned effort from abortion advocates to de-fund them.

According to the interim report, teens who participated in abstinence programs had an increased awareness of the potential consequences of sexual activity before marriage, thought more highly of abstinent behaviors, and less favorable opinions about sexual activity before marriage than did students who were not in abstinence programs.

"Students who are in these [abstinence education] programs are recognizing that abstinence is a positive choice," HHS Assistant Secretary Michael O'Grady said.

"Abstinence education programs that help our young people address issues of healthy relationships, self-esteem, decision-making, and effective communications are important to keeping them healthy and safe," O'Grady added.

Leslee Unruh, president of the Abstinence Clearinghouse agrees.

"The evidence from this and other studies is overwhelming; abstinence education results in self-confident, healthy kids," Unruh said.

"While evidence of the effectiveness of abstinence education continues to mount," Unruh concluded, "pro-promiscuity groups continue to push for more of the same failed contraceptive sex ed of the past."

The analysis of the study was conducted by Robert Rector and Dr. Kirk Johnson and corrects previously published findings by Peter Bearman and Hannah Bruckner, of Columbia University.

Rector and Johnson found serious flaws in the previous analysis of virginity pledgers.

The new HHS study is part of a longer five year survey conducted by the federal agency spanning five years and tracks youth participating in four abstinence education programs.

An additional phase of this study examining how abstinence education affects behavior is expected next year.

A House subcommittee has approved a spending bill, which calls on increasing federal funding for abstinence education by $11 million in fiscal year 2006.

Related web sites:
Abstinence Clearinghouse - http://www.abstinence.net