Shamba Maisha farming program improved food security and mental health for people living with HIV 

Food insecurity is rampant in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2020, more than 65% of people experienced moderate to severe food insecurity. Rates were even higher among people living with HIV. Despite progress in reducing world hunger, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened food insecurity. It’s expected to...

IGHS and Bixby Center researchers head to Kenya to develop more equitable global partnerships

This piece was originally published at the Institute for Global Health Sciences by Cameron Scott. 

Meet Alison Comfort, researcher exploring the stories behind the data

The numbers in a research study offer a glimpse into people’s lives, but there are always deeper stories behind the figures. Health economist Alison Comfort, PhD, has been drawn to math and economics her whole life. The unique power of her work comes in recognizing the real-life experiences behind...

Sex ed programs that share information about clinical services reduce perceived barriers to care

Providing accurate information to adolescents about local sexual and reproductive health services can increase awareness, reduce misconceptions, and may help them use the services. Increasing knowledge about access to these services is a critical component of improving adolescent sexual health. One...

San Francisco shows paid family leave should be designed with an equity approach

Only 23% of workers in the US have access to paid family leave through their employers. Without enough pay, many return to work within weeks of giving birth or adopting. Research has shown that laws that increase access to paid leave resulted in better health for birthing people and babies. But...

One in three people would consider managing their own abortion if they couldn't get to a clinic

Increasing abortion restrictions are pushing more people to navigate legal risks and longer travel distances to the nearest abortion clinic. A new ANSIRH study confirms that as many as one in three people indicate that they would consider doing something to end their pregnancy on their own if...

Women’s social networks influence decisions around prenatal care

Early prenatal care is critical for protecting the health and lives of mothers and babies. It provides opportunities for screening, treatment, and prevention of complications. Yet most women in sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda, don’t seek care until later in pregnancy.

A new tool to measure agency in contraceptive care

To address health equity goals, we need ways to capture patient experiences of bias or coercion. New Bixby research aims to fill a gap in measuring contraceptive agency in people’s interactions with a provider.

Young people are more concerned about pregnancy than STIs

Young people aged 15-24 are less than a quarter of the population, yet they get half the estimated 20 million new cases of STIs each year. STIs and unplanned pregnancies disproportionately affect youth in juvenile facilities, foster care or experiencing homelessness. Communities of color and LGBTQ...

How to develop compassionate, nonpunitive, in-hospital substance use policies

In a new commentary, authors from San Francisco General Hospital argue that hospital policies should facilitate therapeutic responses instead of leaving healthcare workers to apply potentially stigmatizing beliefs about addictions.