Womenstake

A Plunge in DC’s Teen Pregnancy Rates

by Dina Morad, Outreach Manager
National Women's Law Center

Today the Washington Post reported a success! Teen pregnancy rates in DC have dropped considerably from 1996 (164.5 pregnant teens out of 1000) to 2005 (64.4 pregnant teens). Studies have illustrated that access to a range of birth control methods and an increased use of condoms and other contraceptives have played a role in driving the rate down –- once again expressing the need for comprehensive sex education.

Cervical Cancer — Who’s at Risk?

by Dina Morad, Outreach Manager
National Women's Law Center

Sadly, not everyone knows the facts about how to protect themselves from cervical cancer.

This morning the American Social Health Association (ASHA) and the Society of Gynecological Oncologists (SGO) released the results of a poll on cervical cancer prevention. The poll shows that women recognize the importance of Pap tests even if they have been vaccinated for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) — which is great news. But unfortunately, the poll also showed that the media could be doing a lot more to communicate the importance of cervical cancer screenings.

The group that proved most difficult to reach is 19- to 26-year-old women. They are fresh out of the nest, and are therefore more likely to lack health insurance and access to preventative care. The polling also illustrated that those with inadequate insurance are less likely to prioritize and receive the Pap test.

We arrive at the question: Will women who have never been, or are only rarely, screened for cervical cancer themselves ensure that their daughters are screened and vaccinated? Knowledge and access are fundamental.

Ultimately, continued screening is critical. Both HPV vaccines, Gardasil (currently on the market) and Cervarix (waiting for approval), protect against certain strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer — but NOT ALL strains. Use every resource at your disposal to get the message out: Regular cervical cancer screenings are crucial, even if you have already received the HPV vaccine!

Once Again: When Abortion Is Legal, the Rate Declines

By Dina Morad, Outreach Manager
National Women’s Law Center

As Shakesville reported earlier today, a new report by the Guttmacher Institute and the World Health Organization (WHO) has demonstrated once again that, in countries where abortion is legal, the number of abortions decline.

Between 1995 and 2003 we witnessed a decline in about a 4 million abortions worldwide. Much of this decline was stimulated by the legalization of abortions and improved accessibility of modern contraception. Studies repeatedly prove that when contraceptive use rises, abortion rates decline. This inverse relationship has been proven across national and demographic differences. Romania, for example, liberalized abortion laws while simultaneously legalizing the importation of modern contraceptives. Having long endured a reputation for having the highest abortion rate in Europe, Romania staged a model reversal, with dramatic plunge in abortion rates.

Shamefully, the United States has one of the highest abortion rates in the developed world at 21 per 1,000 women in 2003. Western Europe boasts the lowest rate (12 per 1,000 women). The Guttmacher Institute and WHO report employs data to reiterate what we already know: women skirt the law to find other ways to induce abortion. If we continue to endanger the right to safe and legal abortion, abortion rates will likely only rise.

Constant dialogue around this issue is critical to preserving a women’s right to choose.