Reproductive and Sexual Health
April 3-9 is National Public Health Week 2023, and we are joining American Public Health Association (APHA) in “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health.” Each day this week, we are highlighting a community health program or organization whose mission and work align with APHA’s theme of the day.
Each one of us has an active role to play in our caring for our own health and the health of our community as a whole. Together we make health happen.
Access to Reproductive Care is Essential to Health
The right to make decisions about one's own body is recognized internationally as a fundamental human right. Everyone deserves equitable access to a full spectrum of quality reproductive and sexual health care services. Access to quality reproductive and sexual health care services has a significant impact on an individual's physical, mental, and social well-being, as well as their ability to make informed choices about their reproductive lives. Access to reproductive healthcare services, including contraception, prenatal care, and abortion services, can help individuals make informed decisions about their reproductive health, leading to better health outcomes for themselves and their families.
Reproductive healthcare access is an essential component of public health. It can help prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). When individuals have access to reproductive healthcare, they can exercise control over their own bodies, which can lead to increased opportunities for education and employment. People who have control over their reproductive health are more likely to participate in the workforce and to earn higher incomes.
The lack of inclusive and accessible reproductive and sexual health care and education negatively affects everyone, but marginalized communities carry a greater burden of harm. Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. In 2019, only 8.2 percent of students report receiving LGBTQ–inclusive sex education and only 19.4 percent of LGBTQ students were taught positive depictions of LGBTQ topics in their schools. Many health care facilities do not provide gender-affirming services. These biased practices put the LGBTQ community at a higher risk for sexually transmitted infections, depression and other negative health outcomes. We must recognize structural discrimination, biases and injustices which can block inclusive and accessible reproductive and sexual health care.
Read APHA’s post addressing reproductive and sexual health, in English or Spanish.
Lea la publicación de APHA sobre salud sexual y reproductiva, en inglés o en español.
AMHC Sexual Assault Services
Community-serving organizations such as AMHC Sexual Assault Services provide access to reproductive and sexual health education and resources that can help individuals make informed decisions about their reproductive health and their relationships, leading to better health outcomes for themselves and their families. AMHC Sexual Assault Services (SAS) provides advocacy and prevention education across Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock counties.
“Our advocates provide accompaniment to hospitals, law enforcement, and court settings to victims/survivors of sexual assault,” said Julia Miller, Advocate/BSW, Director of Prevention and Sexual Assault Services, AMHC Sexual Assault Services. “We have a 24/7 helpline available for victims/survivors as well as affected others, whether or not professionals are currently working with friends/family of the victim/survivor.
We also provide education to local schools and any interested community settings. We also have two Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) located in Fort Fairfield and Marshfield, which are committed to minimizing trauma and promoting healing for children and their families following the allegation of sexual abuse by providing a streamlined, timely, and evidence-based community response, in a safe and neutral environment.
Sexual Assault Advocacy in relation to the health of our community is so very important. Advocates provide support not only to the victim/survivor of sexual assault but also to medical staff. Sexual assault can be an uncomfortable conversation/reality, but advocates engage in those conversations and circumstances with compassion, dignity, and respect free from judgment and expectation. We wish that sexual assault did not exist but that it does, we are here wanting to partner with you whether you are a current victim, past survivor, family, friend, or professional. We are here 24/7.”
“Sexual Assault Advocacy in relation to the health of our community is so very important. Advocates provide support not only to the victim/survivor of sexual assault but also to medical staff. Sexual assault can be an uncomfortable conversation/reality, but advocates engage in those conversations and circumstances with compassion, dignity, and respect free from judgment and expectation. We wish that sexual assault did not exist but that it does, we are here wanting to partner with you whether you are a current victim, past survivor, family, friend, or professional. We are here 24/7.”
To learn more about AMHC’s SAS programs, please visit www.amhcsas.org., call their helpline at 800-871-7741, or send an email to sas-info@amhc.org. You can also find them on Facebook or Instagram by searching AMHCSAS and for the CAC’s search ACAC2021 for Aroostook or DCAC2021 for Downeast.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) as well as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Visit 211maine.org to explore resources in your community.
Together we make health happen.
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