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May 13, 2012

Some U.S. employers expect pregnant workers to ignore medical advice and engage in tasks like lifting heavy items and climbing ladders. If the women refuse, they can lose their jobs.

Ask your member of the House of Representatives to cosponsor the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act! No one should have to choose between having a healthy pregnancy and supporting her family.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would require employers to make appropriate accommodations for pregnancy. Call your representative today so that pregnant women can stay healthy without endangering their jobs.

May 4, 2012

This week, the Centers for Disease Control published a study that links lower teen birth rates with increased use of "effective" contraception among sexually experienced young women. The study's authors note, "Teen pregnancy might be reduced further if health-care professionals provide culturally competent, evidence-based sexual and reproductive health counseling on the importance of correct and consistent use of contraception, and offer an array of contraceptive methods to teens who have had sex or are about to initiate sexual activity."

If you are a health care provider interested in birth control counseling or other aspects of adolescent reproductive health care, we encourage you to explore the recently released fourth edition of PRCH's Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Education Project (ARSHEP) curriculum. This free, comprehensive, evidence-based program addresses 17 critical reproductive and sexual health topics, including teen pregnancy, adolescent sexuality, STD screening, and contraception. Download the individual PowerPoint modules or request a free CD-ROM of the entire curriculum.

May 4, 2012

The Kentucky New Era interviewed former Leadership Training Academy Fellow Tanya Franklin, MD, MSPH, about high rates of STD infection and teen pregnancy in Kentucky’s rural counties. Dr. Franklin said she often sees women from small towns who avoided getting birth control at their local clinics because they feared their families would find out. “People who work at these [local clinics] are people they know or people who know their family. So they basically just avoid [them] altogether and just pray that they don’t get pregnant.”

As solutions to these problems, Dr. Franklin envisions community education focused on reducing the stigma around contraception and more health care professionals in rural areas. The full article is available here (subscription required).

May 1, 2012

The Rashbaum-Tiller Abortion Provider Awards honor two physicians who provide outstanding abortion services, one for career-long service and one for serving as an inspiration and advocate early in her career, especially in the face of adversity.

Please join PRCH and the Rashbaum and Tiller families on June 4, 2012, in New York City to honor Linda Prine, MD (left), recipient of the 2012 William K. Rashbaum, MD, Abortion Provider Award, and Margaret Kini, MD (right), recipient of the 2012 George Tiller, MD, Abortion Provider Award. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Linda Greenhouse will give the keynote address.

Make your reservation today. Your support of PRCH expands reproductive health education, training, and advocacy programs.