Creating Access to Reproductive Resources in Underserved Populations
Having access to health care resources is imperative for people because it allows them to prioritize their health. After reading the graphic novel, “Waiting for Health Equity” by the Center for Health Progress, the following fact stood out: “Black and Latina teens are over twice as likely as white teens to become pregnant. This is due to the fact that non-white teens are less likely to have access to reproductive health resources and receive accurate sex education” (Center for Health Progress, 2017). For my project, I researched the barriers causing teen pregnancy in Latinx and African American communities to understand the issue. I learned more about the promotion of abstinence, the lack of sexual education in DPS, and the defunding of Planned Parenthood. Due to this, I created a pamphlet that is in English and Spanish and an Instagram page with resources on consent, different types of birth control, sexually transmitted infections (STI’s), contacts, and much more. I collaborated and shared this information with Girls Incorporated and the organization COLOR Latina. In addition, I led workshops on Women Health/Sex Education at a conference my sorority holds every year called Empowering Our Women of Tomorrow Youth Leadership Conference. By sharing resources with these populations, we can educate our young women and reduce the number of teen pregnancies.
