Abstinence is considered one of many harm reduction strategies and not the sole focus. Comprehensive sex education has been found to be more effective than abstinence-only education in some studies. Therefore, the statement that abstinence is a goal when proposed by a counselor, but not the only means of improving health, is true.
From a harm reduction standpoint, abstinence is indeed considered one of several strategies aimed at improving health outcomes, yet it is not the sole focus. Harm reduction acknowledges that people may not be willing or able to abstain from certain behaviors, so alternative strategies are employed to reduce the associated risks. For instance, in terms of sexual health education, a focus on safe sex practices and access to contraception can also be effective in reducing the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies.
While abstinence is a sure way to avoid these risks, not all individuals adhere to this practice, leading to the importance of comprehensive sex education. Research, including a pivotal 2011 study, has indicated that abstinence-only education may, in fact, increase teen pregnancy rates, prompting a shift in public opinion towards more inclusive programs that address sexual safety alongside abstinence.
Thus, in reference to the student's question, the statement is True: abstinence is viewed as only one of several means of improving health from a harm reduction standpoint and becomes a goal when considered appropriate by the counselor.