The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49029

Bonnie Scott Jones, JD and Erica Smock, JD. Domestic Program, The Center for Reproductive Law and Policy, 120 Wall Street, 14th floor, New York, NY 10005

Unintended pregnancy is a major public health problem in the United States that contributes to maternal and fetal morbidity, and maternal and child abuse. Emergency contraception (“EC”) -- a two-dose regimen of ordinary oral contraceptive pills taken shortly after intercourse -- has the potential to reduce unintended pregnancies in this country by 50 percent.

Because EC should be taken within 72 hours after intercourse and is more effective the sooner it is used, EC must be readily available to women. Currently, there are numerous barriers to EC access in this country, including women’s lack of knowledge about EC, and resistance by some health professionals to providing EC. Efforts currently being made by women’s health advocates to increase EC access include: (1) legislation directing government health departments to conduct EC public education campaigns; and (2) legislation and other mechanisms requiring that hospital emergency rooms make EC available to rape victims and other eligible patients.

Despite the fact that unintended pregnancy is a serious public health problem, EC access has generally been recognized only as a “women’s issue.” Because legislatures, governments and hospitals tend to marginalize “women’s issues,” they must be educated about the importance of EC access to the public health. The scientific expertise and credibility of the public health community make it uniquely well-suited to undertake this task. If it takes on that role, significant reductions in the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions in this country may well become a reality.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Recognize the important advocacy role that the public health community can play in improving women's access to emergency contraception (EC).
• Develop advocacy strategies to create government-sponsored EC public education campaigns and to ensure EC access in hospital emergency rooms.
• Apply their public health expertise in support of legislative and administrative efforts to improve EC access.

Keywords: Contraception, Advocacy

Related Web page: www.crlp.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Center for Reproductive Law and Policy
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.