Claims woman was denied prenatal care for being ‘unwed’ prompt outcry
Access to contraception, prenatal care, and abortion pills fueled online debate.
Access to contraception, prenatal care, and abortion pills fueled online debate.
A woman’s story of being denied prenatal care because she is unmarried dominated online conversations about reproductive health this week. Meanwhile, an appeals court upheld a ruling to restrict the abortion pill mifepristone in West Virginia, and a new report found that most states lack sufficient protections for contraception access.
In light of these conversations, communicators may recirculate information on how to access birth control, abortion, and other reproductive health care services.
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What’s trending nationally in conversations about reproductive health:
At a town hall event in Jonesborough, Tennessee, a 35-year-old woman shared that she was denied prenatal care after her physician claimed to be uncomfortable treating her because she is unmarried and advised her to seek treatment elsewhere. The woman traveled to Virginia to receive care and has since filed complaints with the state’s Department of Commerce and Insurance and the American Medical Association. Tennessee’s Medical Ethics Defense Act, which went into effect in April, allows physicians, hospital systems, and insurers to deny health care based on “religious, moral or ethical beliefs.” The story drew widespread media attention and online discussion, with many commenters harshly criticizing the doctor and clinic. Some posts expressed concern that doctors may refuse to treat patients based on their sexual orientation, sexual history, substance use history, or political affiliation.
On July 15, a U.S. appeals court upheld West Virginia’s abortion ban that restricts access to mifepristone. National and local media coverage of the decision drew mixed responses. Many commenters expressed outrage at the ruling and concern that it may set a precedent for restricting other FDA-approved drugs at the state level. Several posts shared resources for other states and encouraged people who need reproductive health care to seek it outside of West Virginia. One post promoted the myth that taking a large dose of vitamin C can induce an “accidental” miscarriage. Anti-abortion groups celebrated the ruling as a “victory for life,” while some commenters called for a national ban to prevent people from getting the abortion pill from other states.
A new report by the Population Reference Bureau found that only a third of states have policies in place to protect access to affordable contraception, such as Medicaid expansion or requiring health insurers to cover contraception. The Contraceptive Policy Scorecard analyzed current birth control policies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., highlighting the importance of state legislation in reproductive health care. Responses to the study ranged from anger at states that offer little protection for contraceptive access to confusion that the Affordable Care Act does not ensure that contraception will be accessible and affordable. Some users argued that access to birth control should not depend on your zip code and that birth control is used to treat many conditions, while others claimed that protecting access to birth control is unnecessary. Several posts promoted abstinence and condoms as alternative birth control options, claiming that the pill “oversexualizes” children.
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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.
As concerns about access to reproductive health care grow, recirculating materials outlining abortion and contraception laws in your state is recommended. Health communicators may also wish to share the Repro Legal Helpline, which provides free, confidential legal services for people seeking abortions and other forms of reproductive health care.
Given concerns about safe access to the abortion pill, communicators may want to share information about how to access abortion pills in their state. Messaging may explain that medication abortion is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy and that mifepristone is also used to manage potentially life-threatening health emergencies like miscarriages and postpartum hemorrhage.
Conversations about access to contraception provide an opportunity to explain the types of birth control, their effectiveness, and how to access them. Sharing tips for self-advocacy in medical settings is also recommended.