Based on our research and understanding of HR 605, Women’s Support Act, we support the bill and its actions. Increased abortion rates can be prevented by identify the causes behind it. According to the 2008 research study by Rudolph Gurtovink, increased abortion rates are associated with financial difficulties, rape, fear of life changes, lack of adequate information on abortion services, geographic barriers, social and psychological concerns and state legislative. If we are able to provide programs to identify these particular issues, prevention of abortion rates could decrease. For more information on this study please visit: http://www.bookpump.com/dps/pdf-b/9427028b.pdf
Identifying target populations that are affected by abortions can help decrease abortion rates. According to Sandra Yin’s evidence based study “younger women have the bulk of abortions in the United States: 75 percent of women who had abortions in 2000 were in their teens or 20s, while women age 40 or older had only 3 percent of all abortions.” Also unmarried women were more likely to have an abortion compared to married women. Race is also an important factor to look at when dealing with abortion rates. “While white women undergo the majority (55 percent) of abortions, black women are three times more likely to end a pregnancy” Yin, 2005). Rachel Jones, a senior research associate at the Alan Guttmacher Institute, states that “black women have more unintended pregnancies because they are more likely to be poor and less likely to be married than white women.” Low economic status is associated with increased abortions. “Women who lived on less than twice the poverty threshold ($28,300 for a family of three in 2000) made up 30 percent of women in the general population, they made up 57 percent of the U.S. women who had abortions in 2000” (Yin, 2005).
For more information on this study please visit:
http://www.prb.org/Articles/2005/AbortionintheUnitedStatesandtheWorld.aspx.
Educating women about how to have a safe and healthy pregnancy is a key factor that will help not only the mother, but also the baby. Reaching out to mother in “at-risk” pregnancy populations is a target area. This will include setting up clinics and teaching centers to educate expecting moms on options, health, nutrition, resources, and support groups. This bill touches on all aspects of pregnancy needs. It helps those who are confused when pregnancy is an unplanned event, which 48% of pregnancies are. The fact that it explains the many options available to women is a great benefit. It addresses abortion, adoption, and effective, healthy ways and resources to carry the baby and raise it. Although abortion service education is provided, it is not emphasized any more than the other options. If the mother was considering abortion because she could not afford the child, or was concerned about proper nutrition during pregnancy, the bill emphasized ways to meet those barriers without ending the life of the fetus. Therefore, this bill should not be considered one sided bill based on political stands.
Our political action plan would be geared towards involving both sides of the political spectrum. The following include our preliminary actions:
1. Contact the supporters of the Bill (listed below on 10-12-09 post)
a. Invite them to participate in our blog
b. Discuss how we can work together to get the bill passed
c. Inquire about what we can add to their support
2. Assure that our blog contains the most recent up to date information on the progress of the bill
3. Contact local representatives and pledge our local support of the bill, as nursing student
a. Contact local VNSA to get support on a greater level
b. Contact VNA or ANA and inquire about their support
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I think that your groups blog is very through and well done. I totally see your point about increasing education and "empowering" the pregnant women that they can do right by their baby and themselves. I believe that the passage of this bill would be good for both political sides and the US population. I did have a question about one of the the quotes. I was confused about the quote “While white women undergo the majority (55 percent) of abortions, black women are three times more likely to end a pregnancy” Yin, 2005). What did it mean with black women are more likely to end the pregnancy but white women get more abortions? I was just confused by that quote, other than that great job ladies! I really enjoyed learning about your bill!
We (Think Pink Early) believe this bill would be a great asset to women’s health care and fully support it. When it comes to risks of pregnancy, it is evident that the majority of them stem from problems that occur during the first trimester. A great deal of these conditions could be eliminated with early education and proper health screenings.
Many women are unaware of the financial hardships that come with being a mother, which increase with complications associated with pregnancy. Now, more than ever, individuals are struggling to make ends meet. I can see where the issue may arise with regards to the monetary needs associated with this bill. However, by increasing expenditures that are directed towards prevention, health care costs associated with the treatment of problems due to a lack of education, would be decreased.
I am very impressed with your blog. Your bill is a good example of how if the focus of American health care were preventive, not only would medical costs be greatly decreased, but more female patients would be educated about the risks of pregnancy and about pregnancy prevention. After reading your blog, I support your bill as well!
Thank you for your thoughts and supporting our bill. I just want to clarify a few points people made. Emily asked about the quote regarding race “While white women undergo the majority (55 percent) of abortions, black women are three times more likely to end a pregnancy” Yin, 2005). What did it mean with black women are more likely to end the pregnancy but white women get more abortions? This quote just indicates that white women have the most abortions in the US, however black women have a higher abortion ration. 334,180 abortions were from white women in year 2000 with an abortion ratio of 167. The abortion ratio is the number of legal abortions obtained by women of a given race per 1,000 live births to women of the same race. In that same year 214,212 abortions were from black women with an abortion ratio of 503. This shows that the majority of abortions came from white women. However, if you just looked at race there was a higher abortion ratio for black women getting abortions.
If you go to the following website there is a chart that gives a great overview of abortion rates and ratios compared between races. You can locate this chart and other information here:
http://www.prb.org/Articles/2005/AbortionintheUnitedStatesandtheWorld.aspx
Post a Comment