To the surprise of abstinence education supporters, newly released CDC guidelines say that abstinence is "the best way" to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.

Rather than saying abstinence is "a reliable way" to avoid STDs - as stated in the 2010 guidelines - the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has just released revised guidelines saying abstinence is "the most reliable way."

Valerie Huber of the National Abstinence Education Association says that presents a conundrum for the Obama administration, which has always opposed abstinence education.

“[The question] is are we going to prioritize ideology and politics, or are we going to be more interested in the health of our nation and the individual citizens that live there?” she states.

"Sometimes the former wins out and sometimes the latter wins out. In this case, fortunately, it’s the health of our nation and its citizens that won out.”

Huber plans on reaching out to the CDC to encourage the organization.

“I’m sure they will receive, and have received, pushback as a result of this change from those who don’t approve of that change,” she tells OneNewsNow. “So they need to hear from us who think it is good news.”

With the CDC having stated this new, stronger support for abstinence, Huber says it would be difficult for the agency to back away from it later.