Alabama also has one of the highest rates in the nation of sexually transmitted diseases among teens. That’s thanks in large part to a lack of sexual education in Alabama schools. Officials have long shied away from mandating proper sex ed, choosing instead to make it optional for schools, so long as they emphasize abstinence.

Betcha didn’t see that comin’

For the first time in at least 20 years, Alabama teens will not participate in the biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey from the Centers for Disease Control, although it’s unclear why or who made the decision.

The YRBS tracks a number of important trends among high schoolers, including mental health issues and sexual activity. Mental health experts consider the survey an important tool in a time when teen suicides and depression are at all-time highs. Likewise, the anonymous survey has proven vital in tracking sexual activity and sexually transmitted diseases among teens.

For some reason, however, Alabama officials earlier this year returned the CDC funding to complete the survey. Last week, state superintendent Eric Mackey, whose Alabama State Department of Education has administered the survey in odd years since at least 2003, acknowledged that the state was no longer participating in the survey.

APR asked for an explanation for why the state has opted out and who made that decision. While Mackey indicated that he wasn’t involved in the decision to opt out, he did not provide APR with an answer for who made the call.

Who decided to return $43,000 back to the CDC and limit what is known about sexual and mental health? IT’S A GOL DANG MYSTERY

deleted by creator