Posts stress importance of sex education in schools and at home
Meanwhile, SNAP cuts prompted conversation about infant formula access.
Meanwhile, SNAP cuts prompted conversation about infant formula access.
Last week, an X post stressing the importance of sex education received millions of views, with many commenters in agreement. Plus, after a group of nonprofits demanded that Immigration and Customs Enforcement release pregnant, postpartum, and nursing detainees amid reports of medical neglect, social media users highlighted the necessity of receiving timely care during a miscarriage. Posts also expressed concern about how cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could harm access to infant formula.
Given these discussions, communicators may share sex education resources for youth and their caregivers, recirculate information about emergency miscarriage treatment, and offer resources for families struggling to access infant formula.
Insights brought to you by the reporters and science writers of Public Good News (PGN), a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to improving community health.
What’s trending nationally in conversations about reproductive health:
On October 31, an X user reshared a May post from a parent expressing dismay that their child’s fifth-grade class studied reproductive anatomy. The author of the recent post advocated for sex education in schools and said that because her mother kept her out of sex education at school, she was unprepared for puberty and uneducated about contraception. The repost received approximately 5.9 million views, 203,000 likes, 15,000 reposts, and 150 comments as of November 4. Commenters discussed the consequences of not receiving sex education, including feeling confusion and fear around puberty and menstruation. Many emphasized the importance of sex education classes in schools and of caregivers having ongoing, age-appropriate conversations with children and teens about puberty and sex.
On October 22, a group of nonprofits sent a letter to ICE urging the agency to release all pregnant, postpartum, and nursing detainees; to investigate reports of medical neglect and abuse in Louisiana and Georgia ICE facilities; to provide adequate medical care to detainees; and to “comply with its own directive prohibiting the detention of pregnant individuals except in extraordinary circumstances.” Social media users across platforms expressed outrage at reports of pregnant and postpartum people being denied timely medical care, including miscarriage treatment, in ICE detention centers. Many suggested that supporters of ICE who also oppose abortion cannot consider themselves “pro-life” due to ICE’s reported treatment of pregnant and postpartum people. Several commenters also discussed their experiences of miscarriage and expressed concern for ICE detainees who have miscarried without receiving timely treatment.
In the past week, conversation focused on how SNAP cuts will make it harder for caregivers to afford infant formula, as recipients will only receive partial benefits in November. Many shared personal stories about having difficulty breastfeeding and relying on formula to feed to their infants. Some expressed fear that caregivers who lose SNAP benefits will attempt to make their own formula, which could potentially harm their babies.
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
Recommendations for public health professionals
Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about reproductive health.
Conversations about sex education provide an opportunity to share comprehensive sex education resources for youth and their caregivers, including tips for talking to youth about sexual health. Communicators may also want to share places to find science-backed information about reproductive health, such as Planned Parenthood and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
In response to discussions about emergency miscarriage treatment, communicators may continue circulating information about the signs of a miscarriage and when to seek medical care. Communicators may also want to share the Repro Legal Helpline, a free resource that connects people with lawyers who can answer questions about miscarriage, abortion, and birth and supports pregnant people who are being denied lifesaving care. Recirculating mental health resources for people who have lost pregnancies is recommended, including online support groups, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, and the Postpartum Support International HelpLine.
As SNAP cuts continue to dominate conversation and cause concern about formula access, communicators may explain that those who receive food assistance through the Women, Infants, and Children program will still receive their benefits. Sharing information about WIC and who is eligible is recommended. Communicators may also direct people to local food banks that provide formula and the 211 helpline, which connects people to experts who can help them find local food pantries and other resources. Additional messaging may stress that homemade infant formula may not be safe or meet infants’ nutritional needs and that infants should only be fed breastmilk or FDA-approved formula. Explaining the dangers of watering down formula is also recommended.