Former First Lady Launches Iowa Initiative
It looks like Iowa has been in dire need of reproductive health services, until now. Here’s a few not-so-fun facts about Iowa’s report card on repro health:
- Iowa ranks 48th in the nation in making family planning services available
- It ranks 39th in its public funding for family planning
- More than half of Iowa’s counties do not have family planning services.
- Half of all pregnancies in Iowa in 2006 were unintended.
In short, Iowa is not on the top list of family planning provider states. But something is finally being done about it, thanks to former first lady Christie Vilsack, whose determination has resulted in the recent launch of the Iowa Initiative to Reduce Unintended Pregnancies.
The organization’s goal is to broaden family planning services to the people who need them, and disseminate information to Iowans about contraception and family planning through public education outreach.
“As a woman and a mother, I believe we have a responsbility to give all women in our state the knowledge and means to prevent unintended pregnancies,” says Vilsack. “Access in family planning results in better lives for women, children and families and the greater Iowa community.”
Amen. The best of luck to Vilsack and the Iowa Initiative! Click here for more info on this fantastic (and much-needed) project.