M. Antonia Biggs, PhD

Associate Researcher, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences​
Senior Researcher, Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH)

Dr. Biggs’ research is dedicated towards better understanding the barriers faced by economically disadvantaged populations in accessing reproductive health services so that policy can be designed to improve their social and health outcomes. Currently, Dr. Biggs is directing a contraceptive training program aimed at increasing delivery of contraceptive care in primary care settings. She is also co-leading an investigation looking at the impact of parental notification laws on minors’ access to abortion services. Dr. Biggs is a researcher for the Turnaway study (primary investigator: Diana Greene Foster), a nationwide longitudinal prospective study of the health and well-being of women who seek abortions, where she is focusing on women’s mental health outcomes post-abortion seeking. Building on her previous work looking at the reasons women engage in unprotected intercourse, Dr. Biggs is launching a new study looking at the reasons adolescent and adult women forgo contraception and engage in unprotected intercourse.

 

Areas of interest:

  • Delivery of long-acting contraceptive services in primary care settings
  • Mental health outcomes of women having abortions
  • Impact of parental notification laws on minors’ access to abortion services
  • Reasons adolescent and adult women forgo contraception and engage in unprotected intercourse

 

Education:

  • University of Wisconsin, Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
  • Boston University, Master's and Doctoral Degrees n Psychology 

 

Publications: 
  1. Marseille E, Mirzazadeh A, Biggs A, P Miller A, Horvath H, Lightfoot M, Malekinejad M, Kahn JG. Effectiveness of School-Based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs in the USA: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Prev Sci. 2018 May; 19(4):468-489. PMID: 29374797.
    View in: PubMed
  2. Mirzazadeh A, Biggs A, Viitanen A, Horvath H, Wang LY, Dunville R, Barrios LC, Kahn JG, Marseille E. Do School-Based Programs Prevent HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections in Adolescents? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Prev Sci. 2018 May; 19(4):490-506. PMID: 28786046.
    View in: PubMed
  3. Biggs A, Taylor D, Upadhyay UD. Role of Insurance Coverage in Contraceptive Use After Abortion. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Dec; 130(6):1338-1346. PMID: 29112661.
    View in: PubMed
  4. Block A, Dehlendorf C, Biggs A, McNeil S, Goodman S. Postgraduate Experiences With an Advanced Reproductive Health and Abortion Training and Leadership Program. Fam Med. 2017 Oct; 49(9):706-713. PMID: 29045988.
    View in: PubMed
  5. Biggs A, Roberts SCM. Fatal flaws in recent analysis on the risk of premature death following teenage abortion and childbirth. Eur J Public Health. 2017 Oct 01; 27(5):794. PMID: 28957488.
    View in: PubMed
  6. Cockrill K, Biggs A. Can stories reduce abortion stigma? Findings from a longitudinal cohort study. Cult Health Sex. 2018 Mar; 20(3):335-350. PMID: 28705119.
    View in: PubMed
  7. Biggs A, Upadhyay UD, Foster DG. Mental Health Outcomes After Having or Being Denied an Abortion-Reply. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017 Jun 01; 74(6):654. PMID: 28492913.
    View in: PubMed
  8. Yarger J, Daniel S, Biggs A, Malvin J, Brindis CD. The Role of Publicly Funded Family Planning Sites In Health Insurance Enrollment. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2017 06; 49(2):103-109. PMID: 28445624.
    View in: PubMed
  9. Biggs A, Upadhyay UD, McCulloch CE, Foster DG. Women's Mental Health and Well-being 5 Years After Receiving or Being Denied an Abortion: A Prospective, Longitudinal Cohort Study. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017 Feb 01; 74(2):169-178. PMID: 27973641.
    View in: PubMed
  10. Biggs A, Rowland B, McCulloch CE, Foster DG. Does abortion increase women's risk for post-traumatic stress? Findings from a prospective longitudinal cohort study. BMJ Open. 2016 Feb 01; 6(2):e009698. PMID: 26832431; PMCID: PMC4746441.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  11. Upadhyay UD, Biggs A, Foster DG. The effect of abortion on having and achieving aspirational one-year plans. BMC Womens Health. 2015 Nov 11; 15:102. PMID: 26559911; PMCID: PMC4642756.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  12. Foster DG, Barar R, Gould H, Gomez I, Nguyen D, Biggs A. Projections and opinions from 100 experts in long-acting reversible contraception. Contraception. 2015 Dec; 92(6):543-52. PMID: 26515195.
    View in: PubMed
  13. Biggs A, Neuhaus JM, Foster DG. Mental Health Diagnoses 3 Years After Receiving or Being Denied an Abortion in the United States. Am J Public Health. 2015 Dec; 105(12):2557-63. PMID: 26469674; PMCID: PMC4638270.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  14. Biggs A, Harper CC, Brindis CD. California Family Planning Health Care Providers' Challenges to Same-Day Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Provision. Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Aug; 126(2):338-45. PMID: 26241424.
    View in: PubMed
  15. Foster DG, Biggs A, Phillips KA, Grindlay K, Grossman D. Potential public sector cost-savings from over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives. Contraception. 2015 May; 91(5):373-9. PMID: 25732570.
    View in: PubMed
  16. Foster DG, Steinberg JR, Roberts SC, Neuhaus J, Biggs A. A comparison of depression and anxiety symptom trajectories between women who had an abortion and women denied one. Psychol Med. 2015 Jul; 45(10):2073-82. PMID: 25628123; PMCID: PMC5004731.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  17. Biggs A, Rocca CH, Brindis CD, Hirsch H, Grossman D. Did increasing use of highly effective contraception contribute to declining abortions in Iowa? Contraception. 2015 Feb; 91(2):167-73. PMID: 25465890.
    View in: PubMed
  18. Roberts SC, Biggs A, Chibber KS, Gould H, Rocca CH, Foster DG. Risk of violence from the man involved in the pregnancy after receiving or being denied an abortion. BMC Med. 2014 Sep 29; 12:144. PMID: 25262880; PMCID: PMC4182793.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  19. Harris LF, Roberts SC, Biggs A, Rocca CH, Foster DG. Perceived stress and emotional social support among women who are denied or receive abortions in the United States: a prospective cohort study. BMC Womens Health. 2014 Jun 19; 14:76. PMID: 24946971; PMCID: PMC4080695.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  20. Biggs A, Upadhyay UD, Steinberg JR, Foster DG. Does abortion reduce self-esteem and life satisfaction? Qual Life Res. 2014 Nov; 23(9):2505-13. PMID: 24740325; PMCID: PMC4186981.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  21. Biggs A, Harper CC, Malvin J, Brindis CD. Factors influencing the provision of long-acting reversible contraception in California. Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Mar; 123(3):593-602. PMID: 24499746.
    View in: PubMed
  22. Chibber KS, Biggs A, Roberts SC, Foster DG. The role of intimate partners in women's reasons for seeking abortion. Womens Health Issues. 2014 Jan-Feb; 24(1):e131-8. PMID: 24439939.
    View in: PubMed
  23. Biggs A, Gould H, Foster DG. Understanding why women seek abortions in the US. BMC Womens Health. 2013 Jul 05; 13:29. PMID: 23829590; PMCID: PMC3729671.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  24. Foster DG, Biggs A, Malvin J, Bradsberry M, Darney P, Brindis CD. Cost-savings from the provision of specific contraceptive methods in 2009. Womens Health Issues. 2013 Jul-Aug; 23(4):e265-71. PMID: 23816157.
    View in: PubMed
  25. Biggs A, Arons A, Turner R, Brindis CD. Same-day LARC insertion attitudes and practices. Contraception. 2013 Nov; 88(5):629-35. PMID: 23809277.
    View in: PubMed
  26. Minnis AM, Marchi K, Ralph L, Biggs A, Combellick S, Arons A, Brindis CD, Braveman P. Limited socioeconomic opportunities and Latina teen childbearing: a qualitative study of family and structural factors affecting future expectations. J Immigr Minor Health. 2013 Apr; 15(2):334-40. PMID: 22678305; PMCID: PMC3479330.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  27. Foster DG, Biggs A, Grossman D, Schwarz EB. Interest in a pericoital pill among women in family planning and abortion clinics. Contraception. 2013 Jul; 88(1):141-6. PMID: 23507170.
    View in: PubMed
  28. Biggs A, Combellick S, Arons A, Brindis CD. Educational barriers, social isolation, and stable romantic relationships among pregnant immigrant Latina teens. Hisp Health Care Int. 2013; 11(1):38-46. PMID: 24830483.
    View in: PubMed
  29. Biggs A, Foster DG. Misunderstanding the risk of conception from unprotected and protected sex. Womens Health Issues. 2013 Jan; 23(1):e47-53. PMID: 23231762.
    View in: PubMed
  30. Biggs A, Karasek D, Foster DG. Unprotected intercourse among women wanting to avoid pregnancy: attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs. Womens Health Issues. 2012 May-Jun; 22(3):e311-8. PMID: 22555219.
    View in: PubMed
  31. Foster DG, Biggs A, Rostovtseva D, de Bocanegra HT, Darney PD, Brindis CD. Estimating the fertility effect of expansions of publicly funded family planning services in California. Womens Health Issues. 2011 Nov-Dec; 21(6):418-24. PMID: 21802962.
    View in: PubMed
  32. Schwartz SL, Brindis CD, Ralph LJ, Biggs A. Latina adolescents' perceptions of their male partners' influences on childbearing: findings from a qualitative study in California. Cult Health Sex. 2011 Sep; 13(8):873-86. PMID: 21707264.
    View in: PubMed
  33. Foster DG, Higgins JA, Biggs A, McCain C, Holtby S, Brindis CD. Willingness to have unprotected sex. J Sex Res. 2012; 49(1):61-8. PMID: 21516592.
    View in: PubMed
  34. Biggs A, Ralph L, Minnis A, Arons A, Marchi K, Lehrer J, Braveman P, Brindis C. .Factors Associated with Delayed Childbearing: From the Voices of Expectant Latina Adults and Teens in California. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences 2010; 32:77-103. 2010; (32):77-103.
  35. Foster DG, Rostovtseva DP, Brindis CD, Biggs A, Hulett D, Darney PD. Cost savings from the provision of specific methods of contraception in a publicly funded program. Am J Public Health. 2009 Mar; 99(3):446-51. PMID: 18703437; PMCID: PMC2661445.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  36. Foster DG, Biggs A, Ralph LJ, Arons A, Brindis CD. Family planning and life planning reproductive intentions among individuals seeking reproductive health care. Womens Health Issues. 2008 Sep-Oct; 18(5):351-9. PMID: 18485738.
    View in: PubMed
  37. Amaral G, Foster DG, Biggs A, Jasik CB, Judd S, Brindis CD. Public savings from the prevention of unintended pregnancy: a cost analysis of family planning services in California. Health Serv Res. 2007 Oct; 42(5):1960-80. PMID: 17850528; PMCID: PMC2254565.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  38. Foster DG, Biggs A, Amaral G, Brindis C, Navarro S, Bradsberry M, Stewart F. Estimates of pregnancies averted through California's family planning waiver program in 2002. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2006 Sep; 38(3):126-31. PMID: 16963385.
    View in: PubMed
  39. McConnell JK, Packel L, Biggs A, Chow JM, Brindis C. Integrating Chlamydia trachomatis control services for males in female reproductive health programs. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2003 Sep-Oct; 35(5):226-8. PMID: 14668026.
    View in: PubMed
  40. Brindis CD, Llewelyn L, Marie K, Blum M, Biggs A, Maternowska C. Meeting the reproductive health care needs of adolescents: California's Family Planning Access, Care, and Treatment Program. J Adolesc Health. 2003 Jun; 32(6 Suppl):79-90. PMID: 12782446.
    View in: PubMed
  41. Driscoll AK, Biggs A, Brindis CD, Yankah E.Adolescent Latino reproductive health: A review of the literature. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences. 2001; (23):255-326.
  42. Galler JR, Harrison RH, Biggs A, Ramsey F, Forde V. Maternal moods predict breastfeeding in Barbados. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 1999 Apr; 20(2):80-7. PMID: 10219685.
    View in: PubMed
Tags: 
Adolescent sexual health
Contraception