Short film on Rural Health Care in America

STOP! Take some time to see this short film Crossroads-Rural Health Care in America  by Richard Falco and Joe Alicastro. I am impressed with the commitment of the organizers to get out in to the community to connect people with services that are available. It is also a good reminder that we have many people in the US who have to consider whether they pay bills or get health care. And in rural areas, you'll need to pay for the gas to drive long distances to find a provider. Not easy choices.

Access to services for rural women

Every where you turn there is talk about the impact defunding Planned Parenthood will have on rural women. Here is a story that actually tells a story of those women:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/25/planned-parenthood-low-income-rural_n_840730.html
Good stuff. Though I'd say we need to be thinking about how to get abortion care services more integrated into rural health care for the women who cannot make it to Planned Parenthood.

And one person's commentary on South Dakota's 3 day wait

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/HeresaClue/south-dakota-abortion-bil_n_839063_81637407.html

3 day waiting period in South Dakota

It is stunning to me that there are people who want to add more burden to women who live in rural areas to get the health care they are seeking. But this is exactly what the Gov of South Dakota has signed in to law. A solid 3 day waiting period before being able to get an abortion. South Dakota

Rural health struggle in WV

Recent funding changes have folks in WV wondering how it will impact rural health care training.
WV Rural Health Struggle

Telemedicine and HIV

so http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/study-telemedicine-as-effective-as-real-visit-for-hiv-patients.html

Great news for people who are living with HIV and living in rural areas.

Rural women and breast health

I find this research on rural women and breast health to be compelling. I don't find much research that highlights the voices of women in rural areas about ANYTHING so when I ran across this article I was thrilled. With rural women being considered in the news so much these days it important that advocates take the time to ask what women are experiencing. And that we listen.

"The women articulated their concerns with the statements, "I need to be around for those I love" and "If I don't take care of myself, no one else will." The Appalachian women used these words as they described their daily lives and their personal responsibilities to others and themselves. The study shows that appealing to their strength as caretakers encourages them to take care of themselves, so that they in turn can live up to their care giving responsibilities."

Lessons from Nepal

We hear it all the time. Abortion being legal does not equal access. Especially for women in rural areas. This oped about abortion and the lower MMR (maternal mortality rate) in Nepal makes some great points.
The lessons come from everywhere, if we can learn.

Hi everyone - I want to share this exciting report from AAP! See below.

wma

A letter from the Executive Director and Board President

We are pleased to share with you AAP's organizational report for 2008-2010.

The past three years have brought reminders that abortion must be approached with openness, compassion and, often, with bravery.  As AAP's work has expanded into more hostile and persistently underserved places - conservative Southern and Midwestern states, rural communities across the U.S. - we have grappled with the challenges of engaging people around the issue of abortion. Many of our programs now work explicitly in communities where there is a history of entrenched opposition to abortion, a culture of pervasive stigma and silence, and a troubled history with and subsequent distrust of "outsiders", particularly concerning public health.

As an organization, we are honing our ability to partner with these communities by approaching them with the same commitment, openness, and compassion we extend to women seeking abortion - and by honoring the bravery that our organizers, organizational partners, and women themselves exercise regularly.  Our collective work is needed. Gains we experienced in 2008-2010 such as the expanded availability of early, medication abortion are offset by losses, some of which have come at a heavy cost.  We lost Dr. Tiller.  With health care reform and the persistence of the Hyde Amendment, we lost the opportunity to provide crucial supports for poor women. Independent clinics have closed or are facing the threat of closure, leaving women in those communities with diminished choices and drawing down on the diverse types of providers  - private practices, clinics, hospitals - that a strong system of care needs.

Expanding access to safe abortion care is the work we have to do.  And this is AAP's moment to do it.  We have more resources than ever. We have a team of successful organizers and collaborative partners who bring innovation, experience and credibility.  New, on-the-ground alliances are being formed where there are resources, interest and support.   Capacity is being built in difficult places. We have established a significant presence for abortion-related work in some of the most politically and culturally hostile environments. As we take this moment to look back, we are awed and appreciative of the work of many, and poised to build on our shared successes and face the challenges ahead.  

    

Please click here to view our 2008-2010 organizational report.  As always, we welcome your feedback.  Thank you for your support and collaboration and we look forward to continuing to share our success with you.

Melanie Zurek, Executive Director

Janet Singer, Chair of the AAP Board