Life After 40: The Family Planning Network and the ACA

Sexual and Reproductive Health in the South: Understanding Diverse Investments and Moving Forward under Health Care Reform

NFPRHA, the National Coalition of STD Directors, and the New Morning Foundation have partnered to sponsor two meetings that convene sexual and reproductive health (SRH) stakeholders that have made investments to improve outcomes in the South. Bringing together stakeholders from across states and sectors provides a much needed space for information sharing and coordination to help improve health outcomes and ensure the accessibility of high-quality SRH services.

The ongoing health inequities in the South are a product of both history and neglect. Limited access to SRH services compounds the inequities. Health care reforms – including the opportunities offered by full implementation of the Affordable Care Act - provide an opportune time to address these SRH inequities. Recognizing the need and opportunity, SRH-focused providers, donors, advocates, and other partners from both the private and public sectors have sought solutions, implemented new initiatives, and made investments to improve health outcomes.

The Sexual and Reproductive Health in the South: Understanding Diverse Investments and Moving Forward under Health Care Reform meeting series takes the next step, examining these diverse investments in family planning, STDs, and HIV/AIDS and identifying intersections and potential gaps. The inaugural meeting was held in September 2013 and included stakeholders from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The successful model of the first meeting was used to plan a second gathering in February 2014 for stakeholders from Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Several NFPRHA members participated in the pilot meetings and, after concluding the series, NFPRHA is confident that its membership could benefit from this type of convening. As a result, NFPRHA created a template, which includes the techniques, tools, and resources used to plan and conduct this type of meeting. The template is available for download at la40resources.org.

For more information about the Sexual and Reproductive Health in the South meetings, contact Amanda Kelinson at akelinson@nfprha.org or (202) 293-3114 ext. 215.

National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association

1025 Vermont Ave. NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-293-3114  |  info@nfprha.org

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