Sexual and Reproductive Health


Sexual and reproductive health refers to a state of physical, mental, and social well-being related to the reproductive system. It includes the right to healthy, safe, and pleasurable sexual relations, safe and appropriate health services, access to effective and affordable contraceptive methods, and access to support and services for unplanned pregnancy. Sexual and reproductive health is critical to overall health and well-being. Good sexual and reproductive health leads to healthy, fulfilling lives and reduces the risk of illness and disease.


Over 19 million U.S. women of reproductive age lack access to a health center that offers a full range of contraceptive methods, and 29% live in a state where access to abortion is unavailable or significantly restricted. One-third of women ages 18-25 have never received a gynecologic exam, which is one of the most important ways for women to receive preventative health screening and education. Contraceptive methods have advanced significantly since the 1800s; however, the accessibility of contraception and medical abortion have continued to be restricted. Despite the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion in the United States, abortion is now banned in 12 states and unavailable in 2. Black and Latina women are disproportionately affected, as they are more likely to experience unintended pregnancy and live in a state in which abortion is banned. Additionally, Black and Latina women are less likely to use an effective form of contraception and more likely to experience pressure from providers to use contraception when compared to white women. 


Factors influencing sexual and reproductive health include accessibility of comprehensive, quality sexual education, accurate knowledge of the risks of unprotected sexual activity, and access to appropriate sexual health care. In the U.S., sexual and reproductive health status differs significantly depending on socioeconomic status, insurance coverage, geographic location, and education level.


Sexual and reproductive health is fundamental to overall health and well-being and communities' social and economic development. Ensuring access to safe abortion, effective contraception, STI screening, and family planning), which can significantly improve sexual and reproductive health. At the local level, communities can expand telehealth services, such as applications for contraceptive counseling,  implement school-based interventions (e.g.on-site STI screening; contraception distribution), and foster cross-sectional partnerships among medical experts, schools, community leaders, and policymakers. These cross-sectional partnerships can improve sexual and reproductive health by identifying and addressing resource gaps in the community, developing policies to expand access to reproductive health services, and ensuring medical providers, including those in school settings, are trained to provide comprehensive sexual education. 


Resources & Tools


young couple in shadow profile Photo by Jake Dela Concepcion on Unsplash
Bright Spot: Reducing the Risk
Resource - Model Policy
Brought to you by 100MHL
PDF Cover: Reasons for Rejecting Hormonal Contraception in Western Countries: A Systematic Review
Reasons for Rejecting Hormonal Contraception in Western Countries: A Systematic Review
Resource - Journal Article
Brought to you by Elsevier, Inc.
Screen capture of Special Episode HIV/AIDS landing page
Special Episode HIV/AIDS
Resource - Podcast
Black woman doing yoga on a beach Photo by Gabrielle Elleirbag on Unsplash
Bright Spot: CLEAR: Choosing Life: Empowerment! Action! Results!
Resource - Model Policy
Brought to you by 100MHL
PDF Cover: Queer Reproductive Justice
Queer Reproductive Justice?
Resource - Journal Article
Brought to you by Elsevier, Inc.
woman with hands in lap Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Bright Spot: HIV Counseling, Testing and Referral (CTR)
Resource - Model Policy
Brought to you by 100MHL
Cover page of Reproductive and Child Health Data Report – January 2020
Reproductive and Child Health Data Report
Resource - Report
Brought to you by North Sound ACH
two Black teens talking Photo by Eye for Ebony on Unsplash
Bright Spot: Becoming A Responsible Teen (BART)
Resource - Model Policy
Brought to you by 100MHL
Screen shot of article photo: Urban Indian HIV and AIDS
Urban Indian HIV and AIDS
Resource - Website/webpage
PDF Cover Page: Cross-State Travel For Abortion Care
Cross-State Travel for Abortion Care
Resource - Journal Article
Brought to you by Elsevier, Inc.
condom packaging on red background Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash
Bright Spot: d-up: Defend Yourself!
Resource - Model Policy
Brought to you by 100MHL
PDF Cover Page: Financial Instability and Delays in Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Due to Covid-19
Financial Instability and Delays in Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Due to COVID-19
Resource - Journal Article
Brought to you by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
PDF Article Cover: Provider Bias In Contraceptive Counseling
Provider Bias in Contraceptive Counseling
Resource - Journal Article
Screen shot of blog photo: Reproductive Justice: Voices Not Just Choices
Reproductive Justice: Voices Not Just Choices
Resource - Blog
Brought to you by University of Alabama at Birmingham
First page of Judaism and Abortion
Judaism and Abortion
Resource - Fact Sheet
woman sitting on white bedding Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash
Bright Spot: Voices/Voces
Resource - Model Policy
Brought to you by 100MHL
four pre-teens looking into sunset Photo by Devin Avery on Unsplash
Bright Spot: Making Proud Choices
Resource - Model Policy
Brought to you by 100MHL
First page of Cautions About Medicalized Dehumanization
Cautions About Medicalized Dehumanization
Resource - Journal Article
Brought to you by AMA
Screen shot of highlights section: Reproductive Health
Reproductive Health
Resource - Data Bank/repository
Brought to you by CMS
Photo of a distressed young person, presumably a teenager, looking at a positive pregnancy test
Teen Pregnancy in New Mexico
Story - Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
Published on 03/01/2017
Illustrations of women, parents, families, and queer people representing the many aspects of reproductive justice
Taking Action for Reproductive Justice: Our Favorite Tools, Resources, and Data
Story - Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
Screen shot of cover of story: The Racist History of Abortion and Midwifery Bans
The Racist History of Abortion and Midwifery Bans
Story - Written
Brought to you by ACLU
Screen shot of tool map: What if Roe Fell?
What If Roe Fell?
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Screen shot of tool map: Reproductive Rights
Reproductive Rights
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Screen shot of Data Center cover page: Guttmacer Institute Data Center
Guttmacher Institute Data Center
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Screenshot of the front page of Contraceptive Deserts
Contraceptive Deserts
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Screen shot of mapping tool cover: Status of Women in the States
Status of Women in the States
Tool - Data/mapping Tool

Data & Metrics


Collage of images of LGBTQ+ people with transparent overlays in progress pride flag colors. At the top, bold white text on a charcoal background reads
LGBTQ+ Health Equity Library
Library
Published on 03/01/2022

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