Planned Parenthood Celebrates 2008 “Back Up Your Birth Control”

Planned Parenthood Celebrates 2008 “Back Up Your Birth Control” Campaign Day of Action To Ensure Access to and Awareness of Emergency Contraception

Washington, DC — Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) today celebrates the 2008 Back Up Your Birth Control Campaign Day of Action to raise awareness of emergency contraception (EC), a safe and effective backup birth control option for women and teens. In honor of the Day of Action, Planned Parenthood launched a new YouTube video to highlight the availability of emergency contraception at Planned Parenthood affiliate health centers across the United States (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fWNk8CyoeU). Despite the effectiveness of EC, many women, including teens, continue to be denied access to this essential form of contraception.

“Emergency contraception is safe and effective, and Planned Parenthood is committed to making sure every woman and teen knows about this backup birth control option,” said PPFA President Cecile Richards. "Every woman deserves full access to every option available to prevent unintended pregnancy.”

EC lowers the risk of pregnancy when started within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse. The sooner backup birth control is taken, the better it works, making timely access critically important. Nevertheless, the FDA restricts young women's access to EC by requiring a prescription for EC for anyone under age 18.

“With as many as 750,000 teens becoming pregnant each year, it is time for all of us to take action and ensure our young people have information on and access to affordable birth control, including emergency contraception,” Richards said.

For more information about EC, please visit www.plannedparenthood.org.

Contra Costa Times: Alarming STD Rates - 3/17/08

Contra Costa Times

WHAT DOES IT SAY about a culture when one of every four girls between the ages of 14 and 19 has a sexually transmitted disease?
What does it say about that culture's failure to teach girls self-respect and self-esteem that makes them value themselves as something other than sexual objects?
That is what all Americans -- not just those with teen daughters -- should be asking in the wake of the shocking study released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CDC researchers found that out of a test sample of 800 girls, 25 percent tested positive for STDs. We're talking about trichomoniasis, genital herpes, chlamydia or the human papillomavirus.
One of two African-American teens had an STD, compared with 20 percent of whites and Latinos, respectively.
Proponents of expanding sex education in public schools say the CDC findings offer proof that we need to make condoms and birth control pills more readily available for teen girls in public schools.
Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of American, proclaimed, "The national policy of promoting abstinence-only programs is a $1.5 billion failure, and teenage girls are paying the real price."
True, despite the Bush administration's suggestions to the contrary, abstinence-only programs don't work.
"Just say no" has little chance against a teen's raging hormones. We need real sex education classes in schools.
However, we also need to do more to discourage our girls, and boys, from having sex when they're not mature enough to take proper precautions or handle the consequences.
How do we get through to teens when everything in our culture encourages them to engage in dangerous, high-risk behavior?
We believe public health officials around the country must launch an aggressive public advertising campaign warning of the risk of STDs -- just as there has been a national effort to crack down on teen smoking.
Many teens are ignorant about the risks. Girls and boys need to be told, for instance, that they can become infected through oral sex as well as intercourse.
It is only through a steady bombardment of messages -- to counter the constant barrage of a sex-soaked culture -- that we can begin to change teen attitudes.
Many parents are in denial. No one wants to believe that their child has a venereal disease. These parents need to get a grip.
Nearly 3 million teen girls across the nation are believed to be carrying STDs, and many don't even know it.
Some STDs can damage a woman's reproductive organs and even cause cervical cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
Parents must have candid conversations with their children and make sure they have access to sex education in school. Their lives may depend on it.

Study: 1 in 4 teens has an STD - 3/11/08

Study: 1 in 4 teen girls has an STD

Story Highlights

First study of its kind shows nearly 3 million teen girls have an STD

HPV, which can cause cervical cancer, is the most prevalent

Nearly half of all African American females tested had at least one STD

Doctors: Screening, vaccination, prevention among highest health priorities

CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- At least one in four teenage girls nationwide has a sexually transmitted disease, or more than 3 million teens, according to the first study of its kind in this age group.

A virus that causes cervical cancer is by far the most common sexually transmitted infection in teen girls aged 14 to 19, while the highest overall prevalence is among black girls -- nearly half the blacks studied had at least one STD. That rate compared with 20 percent among both whites and Mexican-American teens, the study from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found.

About half of the girls acknowledged having sex; among them, the rate was 40 percent. While some teens define sex as only intercourse, other types of intimate behavior including oral sex can spread some infections.

For many, the numbers most likely seem "overwhelming because you're talking about nearly half of the sexually experienced teens at any one time having evidence of an STD," said Dr. Margaret Blythe, an adolescent medicine specialist at Indiana University School of Medicine and head of the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on adolescence.

But the study highlights what many doctors who treat teens see every day, Blythe said.

Dr. John Douglas, director of the CDC's division of STD prevention, said the results are the first to examine the combined national prevalence of common sexually transmitted diseases among adolescent girls. He said the data, from 2003-04, probably reflect current rates of infection.

"High STD rates among young women, particularly African-American young women, are clear signs that we must continue developing ways to reach those most at risk," Douglas said.

The CDC's Dr. Kevin Fenton said given that STDs can cause infertility and cervical cancer in women, "screening, vaccination and other prevention strategies for sexually active women are among our highest public health priorities."

The study by CDC researcher Dr. Sara Forhan is an analysis of nationally representative data on 838 girls who participated in a 2003-04 government health survey. Teens were tested for four infections: human papillomavirus, or HPV, which can cause cervical cancer and affected 18 percent of girls studied; chlamydia, which affected 4 percent; trichomoniasis, 2.5 percent; and herpes simplex virus, 2 percent.

Blythe said the results are similar to previous studies examining rates of those diseases individually.

The results were prepared for release Tuesday at a CDC conference in Chicago on preventing sexually transmitted diseases.

HPV can cause genital warts but often has no symptoms. A vaccine targeting several HPV strains recently became available, but Douglas said it likely has not yet had much impact on HPV prevalence rates in teen girls.

Chlamydia and trichomoniasis can be treated with antibiotics. The CDC recommends annual chlamydia screening for all sexually active women under age 25. It also recommends the three-dose HPV vaccine for girls aged 11-12 years, and catch-up shots for females aged 13 to 26.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has similar recommendations.

Douglas said screening tests are underused in part because many teens don't think they're at risk, but also, some doctors mistakenly think, '"Sexually transmitted diseases don't happen to the kinds of patients I see."'

Blythe said some doctors also are reluctant to discuss STDs with teen patients or offer screening because of confidentiality concerns, knowing parents would have to be told of the results.

The American Academy of Pediatrics supports confidential teen screening, she said.

Forum A Success! - 2/20/2008

The North Vallejo Health Collaborative held a wildly successful community forum and celebration at Elsa Widenmann School on Jan. 26. More than 250 people attended this event which included a variety of activities for children and adults to promote a healthy lifestyle.

The forum was to gather input on priorities for the Healthy Start grant and for the North Vallejo Community Health Center which will be located at Elsa Widenmann School in the fall.

Elsa Widenmann student Kelby Yelder was honored for her role in saving her family from a disastrous house fire. Thanks to Mayor Osby Davis, Fire Chief Russ Sherman and his crew of Vallejo firefighters, and VCUSD Superintendent Mary Bull for being present to honor Kelby.

One highlight was that I accepted a major financial contribution from the Solano Community Foundation to complete the funding for the North Vallejo Health Clinic. The vision of putting a Health Center in every school in Vallejo has been the brainchild of the Vallejo Student Health Services Coordinator, Vanita Finney and her staff.

Our thanks go out to all North Vallejo Health Collaborative members for all the time, energy and resources contributed for this day. We are grateful to: Vanita Finney and the VCUSD Student Health Services Dept. staff; Glen Price of the Glen Price Group; Marie Young and the Solano County Chapter of Links Inc., and the whole Links crew; Dr. James Foy and the Touro University volunteers; Daniel Lamons for organizing, bringing in the Youth Partnership; Deanna Niebuhr for organizing refreshments; Deloris Doster's class for the poem of affirmation; Laura Moreira's class for a beautiful rap presentation; wonderfully facilitated by Gordon; the Junior Safety Patrol performing under the leadership of Sara Sanchez; Stephanie Wolf and the Solano Community Foundation; Christina Arrostuto; Lynn Guest and First 5 for the "dot" posters and videography; Babies First; Black Infant Health; Children's Network of Solano County; Fighting Back Partnership; Kappa Beta Omega Chapter; La Clinica; Pharmacy Assistance Program; Planned Parenthood; Solano Coalition for Better Health; Solano Community Foundation; Solano County Health and Social Services; Solano Kids Insurance Program; John Williams and Aimee Durfee of United Way of the Bay Area for a ton of great organizing and contribution to the costs of the event; Dr. Tam Stevenson for the insights behind the student presentation and program organization; and to the teachers, staff, families and students of Elsa Widenmann School.

MaBella Gonzales, Principal, Elsa Widenmann School

Pregnant Mother, Families Get Support!

Pregnant mothers, families get support

By ANDREA WOLF/Times-Herald staff writer

Article Launched: 02/24/2008 08:11:09 AM PST

Terrell Isom, who attended the baby shower with his pregnant fianc\é, Beatrice Johnson and their 10-year-old daughter, Makayla, said he learned a lot about what his fianc\é is going through and how he can help out.

"It made me realize that I need to tend to things I normally overlook, like washing dishes," Ison said. "I need to ease her burdens for the good of my fianc\é's health and the baby's."

The event, called "A More Excellent Way Baby Shower," was hosted by Tabernacle of David Missionary Baptist Church and the Solano County Black Infant Health Coalition.

"I learned a lot of critical information today about breast feeding and just taking care of myself," Johnson said. "Like formula in a can not being necessarily bad, but it can't substitute breast milk."

Monique Sims, co-chair of the Black Infant Health Coalition, said one of the main goals of the annual event is to educate African American families about the importance of breast feeding and prenatal care.

"Families need to understand pregnancy is a fragile time and moms really need to take care of themselves," Sims said.

The shower included a free meal, games, prizes, workshops and provided health resources for families.

"Everyone here was working feverishly to spoil the moms," Sims said.

While the mothers were being taken care of, fathers attended a men-only informational group led by the Rev. Nicholas McCray.

"It gives the men an opportunity to express how they feel about the woman they love being pregnant and also ask questions if they don't think they are going to be in a relationship with her," Sims said. "Reverend Nicholas explained how they will be in a lifetime relationship of parenting even if they are no longer together with the mother."

Courtney Gates, who attended the baby shower with her 4-month-old baby Serenity, said she appreciated the chance to meet other new mothers going through the same things she is experiencing.

"There are a lot of great resources here," Gates said. "Like how I can get an early head start on my baby's education by reading to my belly."

Sims said the Black Infant Health Coalition hopes to increase breast feeding rates in the Solano County African-American community.

Studies show babies who are breast fed have a healthier immune system, have a lower risk of chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes and have a lower chance of childhood obesity.

Recent studies say breast feeding can also lower the mother's risk of Type 2 diabetes, ovarian cancer and breast cancer.

Each year the community baby shower is held at a different local church and organizers help make the host church more baby and mother friendly.

With help from Napa-Solano Kaiser Permanente and First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission, Sims and other volunteers installed baby changing tables and created comfortable breast feeding areas for women while they attend services.

Sims said about 120 people showed up to Saturday's event and there were considerably more men in attendance than in years prior.

"It's all about the community coming together to benefit the families," Sims said.

Parents are invited to a follow-up session from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Tabernacle of David Missionary Baptist Church.

U.S. abortions drop to lowest level since 1976 - 02/19/08

U.S. abortions drop to lowest level since 1976

Rob Stein, Washington Post

Thursday, January 17, 2008

(01-17) 04:00 PST Washington - --

The number of abortions being performed in the United States has dropped to 1.2 million a year - the lowest level since 1976, according to a new report.

The drop was driven by a decline in the overall rate women of childbearing age getting abortions, which fell about 9 percent between 2000 and 2005, according to a nationwide survey.

At the same time, the long decline in the number of abortion providers appears to be stabilizing, at least in part because of the availability of the controversial abortion pill RU-486, the report found.

The report did not identify reasons for the drop in abortions, but the researchers said it could be due to a combination of factors.

"It could be more women using contraception and not having as many unintended pregnancies. It could be more restrictions on abortions making it more difficult for women to obtain abortion services. It could be a combination of these and other dynamics," said Rachel Jones of the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health research organization publishing the report in the March issue of the journal Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Whatever the reasons, the trend was welcomed by both anti-abortion and abortion rights advocates.

"This study shows that prevention works, and that's what we provide in our health centers every day," said Cecile Richard of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "At the end of the day, Americans of all stripes believe that we need to do more to prevent unintended pregnancy and make health care affordable and accessible."

"It's still a massive number, but it's moving in the right direction," said Randall O'Bannon of the National Right to Life Committee, adding that least some of the drop may be due to changing attitudes.

"Even look at Hollywood," said O'Bannon, citing the hit movie "Juno," about a pregnant teenager who decides against abortion. "More and more people are starting to reconsider their positions."

Suzanne Poppema of the Physicians for Reproductive Health and Choice speculated that wider availability of the morning-after pill also might be playing a role.

"I would like to say that it's at least partially due to increased availability of emergency contraception, which is a really good addition to reproductive health care in this country," Poppema said. The emergency pill, a high dose of standard birth control pills, can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex.

The report was based on a survey of all known abortion providers that the Guttmacher Institute has been conducting regularly since 1974 and is considered one of the most authoritative sources of data on abortions in the United States. The latest survey, of 1,787 providers, was conducted in 2005 and was the first since 2000.

The total number of abortions among women ages 15 to 44 declined from 1.3 million in 2000 to 1.2 million in 2005, an 8 percent drop that continued a trend that began in 1990, when the number of abortions peaked at more than 1.6 million, the survey found. The last time the number of abortions was that low was 1976, when slightly fewer than 1.2 million abortions were performed.

The abortion rate fell from 21.3 per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44 in 2000 to 19.4 in 2005, a 9 percent decline. That's the lowest since 1974, when the rate was 19.3, and far below the 1981 peak of 29.3.

The abortion rate varies widely around the country, tending to be higher in the Northeast and lower in the South and Midwest.

The fall came amid a continued decline in the number of abortion providers. It slipped 2 percent since the last survey, but that drop was much smaller than in previous years.

Jones noted the introduction of the so-called French abortion pill RU-486, now more commonly known as mifepristone. The drug, approved in 2000, allows women to terminate pregnancies without the need for a surgical procedure.

"We found that there were providers who previously didn't offer surgical abortions and are now only providing early medical abortions," Jones said. "If it wasn't for those providers, the number of providers would have declined by far more."

By 2005, 57 percent of abortion providers were offering the drug, accounting for 13 percent of abortions, the report found.

That trend is disturbing to O'Bannon of the National Right to Life Committee, who questioned the safety of the drug.

"It disturbs me that that there are clinics that that may not have been doing abortions before and are doing them now, and that there are doctors who may not have been doing abortions before but are now," he said.

But advocates said they are encouraged by the increased availability of mifepristone, which they say has been shown to be both effective and safe.

"One of the objections to the abortion pill was that it was going to cause the abortion rate to go sky high. But this shows that didn't happen," Poppema said.

Check Out This Great Video From CBS 5 On Sex Education - 02/12/08

Check out this video: CBS 5 On Sex Education