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2014 Results: Sexual Health Ballot Measures

Colorado—Amendment 67, Definition of Personhood

Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution protecting pregnant women and unborn children by defining “person” and “child” in the Colorado criminal code and the Colorado wrongful death act to include unborn human beings?

YES

   35%

NO

   65%  ❌  not passed

Source: Colorado Secretary of State, Unofficial Results (62 of 64 counties reporting)

Illinois—Birth Control in Prescription Drug Coverage Question

This non-binding advisory question on the Illinois ballot asks:

Shall any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides prescription drug coverage be required to include prescription birth control as part of that coverage?

YES

   66%  ✅

NO

   34%

Source: Ballotpedia.org

North Dakota—“Life Begins at Conception” Amendment, Measure 1

This constitutional measure would create and enact a new section to Article I of the North Dakota Constitution stating, “The inalienable right to life of every human being at any stage of development must be recognized and protected.”

YES

   36%

NO

   64%  ❌  not passed

Source: Ballotpedia.org

Tennessee—Legislative Powers Regarding Abortion, Amendment 1

Shall Article I, of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated section:

Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother.

YES

   53%  ✅  passed

NO

   47%

Source: Ballotpedia.org

Q&A: SHR 2013

Have questions about changes in the new edition of Sexual Health Rankings? Post your question in the comments section below, and we’ll reply with an answer.

SHR 2013 Update

The new and improved edition of Sexual Health Rankings is now scheduled for release on Wednesday, February 5. We are in the process of updating the Web site.

SHR 2013 Coming Soon

We are back from our year-end hiatus, and looking forward to releasing the second edition of Sexual Health Rankings. We aim to publish the 2013 state rankings and data online this month, with the full 2013 report to follow in February. This update will include new data and refinements to our methods.

The first edition of Sexual Health Rankings generated tremendous enthusiasm within the public health field and beyond. We’re grateful for all the opportunities we had last year to present and discuss the project, and for the encouragement we’ve received to keep going.

In December and November, the National Coalition of STD Directors hosted two Webinars on Sexual Health Rankings, which drew hundreds of participants from across the nation. We also presented at three important conferences last year: an oral presentation at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, in Boston; a poster presentation at Reproductive Health 2013, in Denver; and an oral presentation at YTH Live, in San Francisco. We also had the honor of joining the National Coalition for Sexual Health, and attending its founding meeting in Washington, DC.

Thank you for your continued interest, and please stay tuned for announcements about SHR 2013 in the coming weeks.

Yours in sexual health,

Martin Downs, MPH
Project Director

Sex Stories: Week in Review, 7/5/13

Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from the around the country.

Abortions in Minnesota Drop 3%

The Minnesota Department of Health reported this week that the number of abortions in state dropped from  11,071 in 2011 to 10,701 in 2012, a decrease of 3%. Abortion opponents credit anti-abortion laws; pro-choice advocates attribute it to access to birth control and information.

Religious Groups Demand Exemptions from Contraception Coverage Mandate

Both houses of worship and religious nonprofits now are exempt from the Affordable Care Act’s mandate requiring insurance plans provided through employers to cover female contraception at no cost. Nevertheless, religious groups are pushing to make for-profit businesses exempt as well.

Pentagon Officials Defend Sexual Assault Response, Pledge To Eliminate Problem

An interview with current and former directors of the Pentagon’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office talk about the challenges to addressing sexual assault in the military, the need for better tools and education from the “muddy-boots level” up, their commitment to making change, and how to best handle both cases and prevention.

STD Rates Rise in Sacramento Suburbs, Statewide

The number of chlamydia and gonorrhea cases rose in several counties in California between 2011 and 2012, according to new data from the California Department of Public Health.  Sacramento has among the highest rate in the state while its suburbs saw increases of 20-90%. Statewide, chlamydia cases rose by 3%, and gonorrhea, by 23%.