Calling for a Pro-Love Movement: A Contextualized Theo-Ethical Examination of Reproductive Health Care and Abortion in the United States

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-159
Author(s):  
Jeanie Whitten-Andrews
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Christian Tradition ◽  
Equitable Access ◽  
High Demand ◽  
Suggested Approach ◽  
Reproductive Health Care ◽  
Political Debates

In the midst of extreme and dualistic religio-political debates regarding women’s sexual wellness and abortion, one begins to wonder what a new theo-ethical approach might look like which rejects overly-simplistic, harmful understandings of such crucial issues. What might it look like to truly centre women’s full human experiences, loving each other in a way that addresses harm and meets tangible needs? This article examines the complex inequitable structural and institutional realities of sexual wellness and abortion through an intersectional theo-ethical lens. The article then proceeds to suggest a new socio-religio-political ‘Pro-Love’ philosophy, undergirded by foundational theological understandings of justice-oriented love, and situated within the broad fields of Feminist, Liberation, Process, and Queer Theologies, within the Christian tradition. The suggested approach requires systematically addressing root issues affecting the lack of equitable access to sexual wellness and the racist/sexist/classist structures forcing women into under-resourced and unsafe environments, leading to high demand for abortion services.

Health Care and Reproductive Politics

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rickie Solinger
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Care Reform ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
The United States ◽  
Reproductive Politics ◽  
Reproductive Health Care ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Care Reform Act

What does the federal health care reform act of 2010 say about pregnancy, contraception, abortion, and reproductive health care generally? The United States has the most expensive health care system of any country in the world. Medical costs per person and the percentage of...

scholarly journals The Continuing Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States: Findings from the 2021 Guttmacher Survey of Reproductive Health Experiences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura D. Lindberg ◽  
◽  
Jennifer Mueller ◽  
Marielle Kirstein ◽  
Alicia VandeVusse
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Race And Ethnicity ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fertility Preferences ◽  
Reproductive Health Care ◽  
Health Experiences ◽  
Core Areas

In this report, we analyze the 2021 data, focusing on how respondents feel the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced their sexual and reproductive health in two core areas: fertility preferences and access to care, including use of telehealth. We note disparities according to individuals’ race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, income level and economic well-being. To assess the ongoing scope and magnitude of the impacts of the pandemic, we also examine findings on comparable measures from the 2020 and 2021 GSRHE studies. These data provide four key findings: The pandemic has continued to shift fertility preferences and impede access to sexual and reproductive health care, including contraceptive services. The impacts reported in the summer of 2021 are smaller than those reported earlier in the pandemic but remain pervasive. The pandemic continues to have disproportionate effects on the sexual and reproductive health of those already experiencing systemic social and health inequities. Telehealth services are bridging gaps in sexual and reproductive health care resulting from pandemic-related upheaval, particularly for those who already experience barriers to accessing health care.

scholarly journals Insights From Twitter Conversations on Lupus and Reproductive Health: Protocol for a Content Analysis (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oleg Stens ◽  
Michael H Weisman ◽  
Julia Simard ◽  
Katja Reuter
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Social Media Analytics ◽  
Translational Science ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Data Source

BACKGROUND Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common form of lupus. It is a chronic autoimmune disease that predominantly affects women of reproductive age, impacting contraception, fertility, and pregnancy. Although clinic-based studies have contributed to an increased understanding of reproductive health care needs of patients with SLE, misinformation abounds and perspectives on reproductive health issues among patients with lupus remain poorly understood. Social networks such as Twitter may serve as a data source for exploring how lupus patients communicate about their health issues, thus adding a dimension to enrich our understanding of communication regarding reproductive health in this unique patient population. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to conduct a content analysis of Twitter data published by users in English in the United States from September 1, 2017, to October 31, 2018, in order to examine people’s perspectives on reproductive health among patients with lupus. METHODS This study will analyze user-generated posts that include keywords related to lupus and reproductive health from Twitter. To access public Twitter user data, we will use Symplur Signals, a health care social media analytics platform. Text classifiers will be used to identify topics in posts. Posts will be classified manually into the a priori and emergent categories. Based on the information available in a user’s Twitter profile (ie, username, description, and profile image), we will further attempt to characterize the user who generated the post. We will use descriptive statistics to analyze the data and identify the most prevalent topics in the Twitter content among patients with lupus. RESULTS This study has been funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) through their Clinical and Translational Science Awards program. The Institutional Review Board at the University of Southern California approved the study (HS-18-00912). Data extraction and cleaning are complete. We obtained 47,715 Twitter posts containing terms related to “lupus” from users in the United States, published in English between September 1, 2017, and October 31, 2018. We will include 40,885 posts in the analysis, which will be completed in fall 2020. This study was supported by funds from the has been funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) through their Clinical and Translational Science Awards program. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this study will provide pilot data on the use of Twitter among patients with lupus. Our findings will shed light on whether Twitter is a promising data source for learning about reproductive health issues expressed among patients with lupus. The data will also help to determine whether Twitter can serve as a potential outreach platform for raising awareness of lupus and reproductive health and for implementing relevant health interventions. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/15623

scholarly journals Insights From Twitter Conversations on Lupus and Reproductive Health: Protocol for a Content Analysis

10.2196/15623 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e15623
Author(s):  
Oleg Stens ◽  
Michael H Weisman ◽  
Julia Simard ◽  
Katja Reuter
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Social Media Analytics ◽  
Translational Science ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Data Source

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common form of lupus. It is a chronic autoimmune disease that predominantly affects women of reproductive age, impacting contraception, fertility, and pregnancy. Although clinic-based studies have contributed to an increased understanding of reproductive health care needs of patients with SLE, misinformation abounds and perspectives on reproductive health issues among patients with lupus remain poorly understood. Social networks such as Twitter may serve as a data source for exploring how lupus patients communicate about their health issues, thus adding a dimension to enrich our understanding of communication regarding reproductive health in this unique patient population. Objective The objective of this study is to conduct a content analysis of Twitter data published by users in English in the United States from September 1, 2017, to October 31, 2018, in order to examine people’s perspectives on reproductive health among patients with lupus. Methods This study will analyze user-generated posts that include keywords related to lupus and reproductive health from Twitter. To access public Twitter user data, we will use Symplur Signals, a health care social media analytics platform. Text classifiers will be used to identify topics in posts. Posts will be classified manually into the a priori and emergent categories. Based on the information available in a user’s Twitter profile (ie, username, description, and profile image), we will further attempt to characterize the user who generated the post. We will use descriptive statistics to analyze the data and identify the most prevalent topics in the Twitter content among patients with lupus. Results This study has been funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) through their Clinical and Translational Science Awards program. The Institutional Review Board at the University of Southern California approved the study (HS-18-00912). Data extraction and cleaning are complete. We obtained 47,715 Twitter posts containing terms related to “lupus” from users in the United States, published in English between September 1, 2017, and October 31, 2018. We will include 40,885 posts in the analysis, which will be completed in fall 2020. This study was supported by funds from the has been funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) through their Clinical and Translational Science Awards program. Conclusions The findings from this study will provide pilot data on the use of Twitter among patients with lupus. Our findings will shed light on whether Twitter is a promising data source for learning about reproductive health issues expressed among patients with lupus. The data will also help to determine whether Twitter can serve as a potential outreach platform for raising awareness of lupus and reproductive health and for implementing relevant health interventions. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/15623

“Making a Way Out of No Way:” Understanding the Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Experiences of Transmasculine Young Adults of Color in the United States

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232110500
Author(s):  
Madina Agénor ◽  
Dougie Zubizarreta ◽  
Sophia Geffen ◽  
Natasha Ramanayake ◽  
Shane Giraldo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Reproductive Health Care ◽  
Health Care Experiences

Research focusing on the specific and unique sexual and reproductive health care experiences of transmasculine young adults of color are extremely scarce. We conducted five focus group discussions with 19 Black, Latinx, Asian, Native, and other transmasculine individuals of color aged 18–25 years in the greater Boston area. Using thematic analysis, we found that transmasculine young adults of color experienced cissexism, heterosexism, and racism in accessing and utilizing sexual and reproductive health services. These multiple forms of discrimination undermined participants’ receipt of high-quality sexual and reproductive health information and care from competent health care providers who shared their lived experiences. Participants relied on support from their lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer peers to obtain needed sexual and reproductive health resources and minimize harm during clinical encounters. Multilevel interventions are needed to promote access to person-centered and structurally competent sexual and reproductive health care among transmasculine young adults of color.

scholarly journals Perceived reproductive health needs among Muslim women in the southern US

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sondous Eksheir ◽  
Jessamyn Bowling
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Muslim Women ◽  
The United States ◽  
Reproductive Health Care ◽  
Southern Us ◽  
The Us ◽  
Gynecological Care

Despite growing rates of Muslims in the United States, we know little about the health of Muslim women in this country. Due to the stigma surrounding sex, sexuality, and the cultural beliefs of this population, there may be unique and unknown challenges regarding access to reproductive health care for Muslims in the US. Purpose: This study aims to examine variables that promote and impede access to reproductive health care for Muslim women in the southern US. Methods: This multi-method study included in-person semi-structured interviews (n=15) and an anonymous online survey (n=76). Findings: Participants generally had low rates of gynecological care and cervical cancer screening. The cultural (e.g. waiting for marriage to receive gynecological care) and contextual aspects (e.g. gender) that increased or restricted access to care in terms of screening, providers and education are discussed. We also identified some misconceptions related to screening and contraception. Conclusions: Influences on reproductive health care experienced by participants in this study have similarities yet are distinct from Muslim populations in other countries as well as other groups of women in the US. This study points to a need for more population-focused education of providers, as well as awareness about reproductive health and health care recommendations and access for Muslim women.

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