News Review – 19 May 2017 | Center for International Reproductive Health Training

Access to medical facilities and supplies, trained doctors and midwives, changes in attitude and stigma, reaching people with the right information, evolved government policy, leveraged technological innovation – these are some of the most important factors in providing family planning and reproductive health services. But in the end, it all comes down to money, and on that front there was more challenging news emanating from Washington this week.

The Trump “global gag order” was extended far beyond previous Republican administrations to encompass all foreign assistance — $8.8 billion – and will affect integrated health services around the world, including the fight against HIV/AIDS, Zika and “everything from measles malaria”. Unveiled during “Women’s Health Week”, the order will be felt most acutely in the quest to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, and according to many NGOs “women and children will die” as a direct result.

The upcoming 2017 London Summit on Family Planning will address some of the issues that the shortfall will exacerbate, always with an eye on the Sustainable Development Goal of universal access to sexual and reproductive health by 2030. The scope of the global problem can be seen in WHO statistics, which show “Pregnancy problems are leading global killer of females aged 15 to 19”

Speaking of the WHO, this week marks the World Health Assembly in Geneva, with the body deliberating on the selection of a new director-general, as well as a wide range of other issues, including health emergency preparedness and drug safety.

Last week was Mother’s Day in many countries, and one article noted that fifty-nine percent of the women who choose abortion already have one or more children., so in addition to celebrating all that mothers do, it is also a day to think of “mothers without choices — mothers for whom just one more birth could ruin their health, their ability to care for the children they already have and, potentially, their family’s financial viability.”

A few notes on technology: a “smart bangle” being introduced in South Asia “alerts pregnant women to toxic fumes and issues audio tips”; researchers are looking at plant chemicals to find new contraceptives; and an insight into how Even the Rainforest Is Better Off When Women Have Reproductive Healthcare.

The governments in Gambia and Namibia are prioritizing family planning. In Nigeria Nollywood star Jim Iyke is leading a campaign to reduce maternal mortality, and MTV is getting the word out in South Africa.

Finally, a shout-out to our University of Michigan School of Nursing colleague Jody Lori who was involved in the building of Zambia’s first maternity waiting home.

Complete News Review References:

General

This World Health Organization Leadership Election Is Crucial, And It’s Getting Ugly, Huffington Post, 19 May 2017

WHO: Director-General campaign closes amid anxiety and hope, The Lancet, 20 May 2017

Smart bangle delivers pregnancy tips to Asian wrists, Thomson Reuters Foundation, 19 May 2017

1 in 3 U.S. women have C-sections. How Chicago doctors are working to change that, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2017

8 Things To Look For At The 70th World Health Assembly, Global Health Now, 18 May 2017

How a Trump order on abortion could hurt the fight against AIDS in Africa, Washington Post, 18 May 2017

Ahead of WHO Leadership Elections – ‘Dirty Tricks’ Aim to Muddy Africa’s Choice, Front Page Africa, 18 May 2017

Trump Unveils ‘Vicious’ Women’s Health Restrictions During ‘Women’s Health Week’, Rewire, 18 May 2017

Plans for major family planning summit take shape in Europe as US cuts back, Devex, 17 May 2017

Seeking medical abortions online is safe and effective, study finds, The Guardian, 17 May 2017