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.

Racism motivates and hinders aspiring midwives of color

New research from the Abortion Care Training Incubator for Outstanding Nurse Scholars (ACTIONS) program at the University of California, San Francisco, and Commonsense Childbirth found that the high cost of midwifery education and related costs like loss of income while enrolled in school were...

Understanding the fear that birth control causes infertility

New research led by Erica Sedlander explored what’s associated with this myth to suggest strategies to address it and help people make informed choices about using birth control.

Health care provider decision making on reporting prenatal substance use

Discussions of alcohol and/or drug use during pregnancy often focus on the harms cause by the substance use. But research shows that policies and health care practices adapted in response also cause harm. Two practices that contribute to those harms are reporting of pregnant people’s substance use...

Telemedicine for birth control feels difficult for young adults experiencing food and housing insecurity

The COVID-19 pandemic motivated healthcare providers to expand telemedicine to prevent spreading the virus. Telemedicine offers a safe and effective way to support people starting or continuing contraception. It can help increase access to care, especially for people in rural areas or underserved...