Tucson Teens are Taking Control of their Sexual Health

By Abigail Wilt

May 1, 2023

Despite not having the support of the public school system in regards to their sexual health, Arizona teens and young adults are taking initiative.

The El Rio Reproductive Health Access Program (RHAP) hosted by El Rio Health Clinic is located in Tucson and provides young people 14-24 with free and confidential sexual health resources and education.

Run by youth, RHAP seeks to empower teens to take control of their sexual and reproductive health. While many parents and educators may doubt a teen’s ability to make informed decisions about their sexual health, RHAP believes that young people are capable. 

The organization recognizes teens and their need for these tools. An important part of trusting teens to make informed decisions is making sure they are informed.

"There is a real harm to not giving people the education they need to take care of themselves," says RHAP team member Karen Torres.

RHAP hosts a variety of sex education opportunities for youth around Tucson. Catch some of the RHAP staff at booths or at high schools answering questions and busting myths for curious teens. 

RHAP also contributes to spreading awareness around sex education through hosting events. The events are hosted and organized by youth for youth. Some of their events include pizza protection parties, tabling events and kiosks hosted at high schools where teens will share information and discuss sexual health topics. The events seek to create a safe space for teens to ask questions and find informed answers.

"A lot of the time, kids are the experts. They know what they need and we listen. We are providing kids with the language and spaces to talk about these issues," says Torres.

The events also provide opportunities for parents to connect with their children and discuss sexual health topics in a safe environment. Support from parents can be a hurdle when advocating for comprehensive sex education and sexual health resources. RHAP’s youth-led events help to reduce stigma and empower parents to build a strong sexual health foundation as their kids enter this new period of their development.

Not only is RHAP diligent in their sex education access, the program also provides teens access to tools they may need to manage their sexual health and it’s free. Some of their services include pregnancy testing, birth control (pills, IUDs, implants, patches, rings, depo-shots and emergency contraception), menstrual products, STI testing, STI treatment, condoms, PrEP & PEP, gender affirming clothing items, hormone therapy as well as reproductive health counseling and reproductive health presentations. 

Finding ways to provide teens with these resources can be difficult when schools restrict access to sex education and related topics. RHAP spreads their message through the use of social media and word-of-mouth. They also provide free transportation through Uber and Lyft for teens who are in need of their services. However, free transportation is only available if the teen is 18+ or accompanied by someone who is 18+. 

Organizations like RHAP are working hard to provide sexual health solutions in a stigmatized climate like the one in Arizona. They set the standard for what should be widely accessible to teens everywhere.